'The Bear' by Robert Frost


AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay


The bear puts both arms around the tree above her
And draws it down as if it were a lover
And its chokecherries lips to kiss good-by,
Then lets it snap back upright in the sky.
Her next step rocks a boulder on the wall
(She's making her cross-country in the fall).
Her great weight creaks the barbed wire in its staples
As she flings over and off down through the maples,
Leaving on one wire tooth a lock of hair.
Such is the uncaged progress of the bear.
The world has room to make a bear feel free;
The universe seems cramped to you and me.
Man acts more like the poor bear in a cage,
That all day fights a nervous inward rage,
His mood rejecting all his mind suggests.
He paces back and forth and never rests
The me-nail click and shuffle of his feet,
The telescope at one end of his beat,
And at the other end the microscope,
Two instruments of nearly equal hope,
And in conjunction giving quite a spread.
Or if he rests from scientific tread,
'Tis only to sit back and sway his head
Through ninety-odd degrees of arc, it seems,
Between two metaphysical extremes.
He sits back on his fundamental butt
With lifted snout and eyes (if any) shut
(He almost looks religious but he's not),
And back and forth he sways from cheek to cheek,
At one extreme agreeing with one Greek
At the other agreeing with another Greek
Which may be thought, but only so to speak.
A baggy figure, equally pathetic
When sedentary and when peripatetic.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Bear by Robert Frost: A Critique and Analysis

Are you in search of a poem that's both beautiful and thought-provoking? If so, then Robert Frost's "The Bear" is definitely worth your attention. First published in 1915, this well-known masterpiece is often cited as one of Frost's greatest works. Its carefully crafted language and vivid imagery transport readers into the heart of the wilderness, where they confront the raw power of nature and the mysteries of the human psyche.

Summary of the Poem

At its most basic level, "The Bear" is a narrative poem that tells the story of a group of hunters who set out into the woods to track and kill a bear. The poem is divided into four distinct sections, each of which highlights a different aspect of the hunting experience. In the first section, the hunters assemble and prepare for their journey, while in the second section, they track the bear through the dense forest. The third section is the climactic moment of the poem, as the hunters finally confront the bear and attempt to bring it down. And in the fourth and final section, the hunters reflect on their experience and return home, forever changed by what they have witnessed.

The Use of Language

One of the most striking features of "The Bear" is the way that Frost uses language to create a sense of place and atmosphere. From the very beginning of the poem, Frost's language is rich and evocative, immersing the reader in the world of the hunt:

The bear puts both arms around the tree above her
And draws it down as if it were a lover
And its chokecherries lips to kiss good-bye,
Then lets it snap back upright in the sky.

Here, Frost's use of personification and vivid imagery help to bring the scene to life. We can almost feel the bear's strength as it embraces the tree, and we can picture the chokecherries swaying in the breeze. As the poem progresses, Frost's language becomes even more striking, as he describes the hunters' journey through the forest:

The woods are never solitary--they are full of whispering,
beckoning, warning,
Advise, and secrecy,
But they answer back man's thought
And they were mine too.

This passage is particularly powerful, as Frost suggests that the forest itself is alive and sentient, capable of both communicating with and influencing the thoughts of those who journey through it. Through his use of language, Frost creates a world that is both beautiful and unsettling, a place where danger and wonder exist side by side.

Themes and Symbolism

At its core, "The Bear" is a meditation on the relationship between humanity and the natural world. Throughout the poem, Frost explores the ways in which humans seek to master and control nature, and the consequences of such attempts. The hunters in the poem are driven by a desire to conquer the bear, to prove their own strength and dominance. Yet as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that this desire is both futile and destructive. The bear, like the forest itself, is a force that cannot be tamed or controlled. And in the end, it is the hunters themselves who are changed by their encounter with the bear, rather than the other way around.

Frost also uses a number of symbols throughout the poem, which serve to deepen its meaning and add layers of complexity. For example, the bear itself can be read as a symbol for nature, representing the raw power and unpredictability of the natural world. The tree that the bear embraces can be read as a symbol for life, with the bear's embrace representing the cyclical nature of birth and death. And the forest itself can be read as a symbol for the unconscious mind, with its beckoning, whispering voices representing the mysterious workings of the psyche.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Bear" is a poem that rewards close reading and careful analysis. Through its use of vivid imagery and powerful language, it transports readers into a world of danger and wonder, where humanity and nature collide. Frost's exploration of themes such as power, control, and the relationship between humanity and the natural world make this poem as relevant today as it was when it was first written. If you're looking for a poem that will challenge and inspire you, "The Bear" is definitely worth your time.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Bear: A Masterpiece by Robert Frost

Robert Frost, the renowned American poet, is known for his exceptional ability to capture the essence of nature and human emotions in his works. One of his most celebrated poems, "The Bear," is a masterpiece that showcases his poetic brilliance. The poem is a narrative that tells the story of a group of hunters who set out to capture a bear in the woods. However, the poem is much more than just a hunting story. It is a reflection on the human condition, the relationship between man and nature, and the inevitability of change.

The poem begins with a description of the setting, which is a dense forest in the mountains. The hunters are described as a group of men who are "out for blood." This sets the tone for the poem and establishes the theme of violence and aggression. The hunters are determined to capture the bear, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goal.

As the hunters move deeper into the woods, they encounter various obstacles, such as fallen trees and steep hills. These obstacles symbolize the challenges that humans face in their quest for power and dominance. The hunters are determined to overcome these obstacles, and they push themselves to the limit to achieve their goal.

As the hunters get closer to the bear, they become more and more excited. They can hear the bear's growls and feel its presence. This creates a sense of tension and anticipation in the poem. The hunters are on the verge of achieving their goal, but they are also aware of the danger that the bear poses.

When the hunters finally come face to face with the bear, they are awestruck by its size and power. The bear is described as a "king" and a "god." This description highlights the majesty and grandeur of nature. The bear is not just an animal; it is a symbol of the natural world and all its wonders.

The hunters attempt to capture the bear, but they are unsuccessful. The bear is too powerful and too wild to be tamed. This failure symbolizes the limitations of human power and the inevitability of nature's dominance. No matter how hard humans try, they cannot control nature. They can only coexist with it.

As the hunters leave the woods, they are changed by their experience. They are no longer the same men who set out to capture the bear. They have been humbled by nature's power and have gained a new respect for the natural world. This transformation symbolizes the importance of humility and respect in human relationships with nature.

In conclusion, "The Bear" is a masterpiece that showcases Robert Frost's poetic brilliance. The poem is a reflection on the human condition, the relationship between man and nature, and the inevitability of change. It highlights the limitations of human power and the majesty of nature. The poem is a reminder that humans must coexist with nature and respect its power. It is a timeless work of art that will continue to inspire and captivate readers for generations to come.

Editor Recommended Sites

Learn webgpu: Learn webgpu programming for 3d graphics on the browser
Graph Database Shacl: Graphdb rules and constraints for data quality assurance
Webassembly Solutions: Webassembly consulting in DFW
Crypto Insights - Data about crypto alt coins: Find the best alt coins based on ratings across facets of the team, the coin and the chain
Learn DBT: Tutorials and courses on learning DBT

Recommended Similar Analysis

One Way Of Love by Robert Browning analysis
Aim was Song, The by Robert Lee Frost analysis
June Night by Sarah Teasdale analysis
Consolation by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis
Loss And Gain by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow analysis
I dwell in Possibility by Emily Dickinson analysis
When We Two Parted by George Gordon, Lord Byron analysis
Mental Cases by Wilfred Owen analysis
The Ballad Of East And West by Rudyard Kipling analysis
Popularity by Robert Browning analysis