'The Vanishing Red' by Robert Frost


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Mountain Interval1916He is said to have been the last Red man
In Action. And the Miller is said to have laughed--
If you like to call such a sound a laugh.
But he gave no one else a laugher's license.
For he turned suddenly grave as if to say,
'Whose business,--if I take it on myself,
Whose business--but why talk round the barn?--
When it's just that I hold with getting a thing done with.'
You can't get back and see it as he saw it.
It's too long a story to go into now.
You'd have to have been there and lived it.
They you wouldn't have looked on it as just a matter
Of who began it between the two races.Some guttural exclamation of surprise
The Red man gave in poking about the mill
Over the great big thumping shuffling millstone
Disgusted the Miller physically as coming
From one who had no right to be heard from.
'Come, John,' he said, 'you want to see the wheel-pint?'He took him down below a cramping rafter,
And showed him, through a manhole in the floor,
The water in desperate straits like frantic fish,
Salmon and sturgeon, lashing with their tails.
The he shut down the trap door with a ring in it
That jangled even above the general noise,
And came upstairs alone--and gave that laugh,
And said something to a man with a meal-sack
That the man with the meal-sack didn't catch--then.
Oh, yes, he showed John the wheel-pit all right.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Vanishing Red - An Introspection of Frost's Masterpiece

The Vanishing Red by Robert Frost is a classic poem that has been a subject of interpretation and literary criticism for ages. Frost, a prominent American poet, is known for his unique style and his ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences in his poetry. The Vanishing Red is no exception to this trend, as it explores themes of loss, change, and the passage of time. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we delve deeper into the poem to understand its significance and the emotions it evokes.

Summary of the Poem

The poem is an elegy that mourns the loss of Native American culture and their way of life. The speaker remembers a time when the red men roamed the land and their presence was evident in the natural world around them. The poem begins with the contrasting imagery of a blackbird and a red bird. The speaker notes that while the blackbird is still present, the red bird has vanished, and with it, the spirit of the red men. The speaker then goes on to describe how the Native American way of life was in harmony with nature, and how their absence has caused a disturbance in the balance of nature. The poem ends with a powerful image of a solitary Indian standing on a hill, looking out at the world that has changed around him.

The Significance of the Title

The title of the poem, The Vanishing Red, is significant in several ways. Firstly, it refers to the disappearance of the Native American culture and their way of life. The word "red" is a reference to the skin color of the Native Americans and is used as a shorthand for their culture and identity. Secondly, the word "vanishing" suggests that this disappearance is not just a historical fact but an ongoing process. The use of the present tense in the title suggests that the Native American culture is still disappearing, and the poem is a call to action to preserve what is left.

The Imagery in the Poem

Frost uses vivid imagery to evoke a sense of loss and change in the poem. The contrast between the blackbird and the red bird is a powerful image that sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The blackbird, a bird that is common and often seen as a nuisance, represents the present, while the red bird, a symbol of the Native American way of life, has vanished. This contrast highlights the loss of something that was once cherished and valued.

Frost also uses imagery to describe the Native American way of life. He notes how they lived in harmony with nature and how their presence was evident in the natural world around them. He describes how the Native Americans hunted and fished and used the resources around them in a sustainable way. The image of the "red deer" is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the deer and the Native Americans were once intertwined in a way that is no longer possible.

The Use of Metaphor and Symbolism

Frost's use of metaphor and symbolism in the poem is also noteworthy. The blackbird and the red bird can be seen as symbols of the present and the past, respectively. The blackbird represents the current way of life, which is often seen as destructive and unsustainable. The red bird, on the other hand, represents a way of life that was in harmony with nature and that valued sustainability and conservation.

The image of the solitary Indian standing on a hill is also a powerful symbol. The Indian represents a remnant of a culture that has all but disappeared. He is a witness to the changes that have taken place and a reminder of what has been lost. His solitary position on the hill suggests that he is standing apart from the rest of the world, observing it but not participating in it.

The Theme of Loss and Change

The theme of loss and change is central to the poem. Frost mourns the loss of the Native American culture and their way of life, which he sees as a loss to the natural world as well. He notes how the absence of the Native Americans has caused a disturbance in the balance of nature, and how their presence was once evident in the natural world around them.

The poem can also be seen as a commentary on the changes that have taken place in America since the arrival of European settlers. The disappearance of the Native American culture can be seen as a metaphor for the destruction of the natural world that has taken place since the arrival of Europeans. The poem can be read as a call to action to preserve what is left of the natural world and to learn from the mistakes of the past.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Vanishing Red is a powerful poem that explores themes of loss, change, and the passage of time. Frost's use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and symbolism evokes a sense of loss and mourning for the Native American culture and their way of life. The poem can also be read as a commentary on the changes that have taken place in America since the arrival of European settlers. The poem is a call to action to preserve what is left of the natural world and to learn from the mistakes of the past.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Vanishing Red: A Poem of Loss and Change

Robert Frost is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for his evocative and insightful works that explore the complexities of human experience. One of his most poignant and thought-provoking poems is "The Vanishing Red," a piece that speaks to the themes of loss, change, and the passing of time.

At its core, "The Vanishing Red" is a meditation on the disappearance of Native American culture and the impact of European colonization on the land and its people. The poem begins with a vivid image of a red man, a symbol of the indigenous peoples of America, who is "stalking" through the forest. The use of the word "stalking" suggests a sense of stealth and danger, as if the red man is a predator on the prowl. This image is juxtaposed with the peaceful and idyllic setting of the forest, which is described as "still" and "quiet."

As the poem progresses, Frost introduces the idea of change and loss. He notes that the red man's "footprints" are "vanishing" and that the "forest floor" is "fading." These images suggest that the red man's presence is slowly disappearing, as if he is being erased from the landscape. This is further reinforced by the line "The red man fades from the forest," which implies that the red man is not just disappearing physically, but also culturally and spiritually.

Frost then introduces the idea of time, noting that the red man's disappearance is not a recent phenomenon, but rather something that has been happening for centuries. He writes, "The Indian's lore is silence / His myth is unexpressed." This suggests that the red man's culture and history have been lost over time, and that there is little left to remember or celebrate.

The poem then takes a turn, as Frost introduces the idea of redemption and hope. He writes, "The passing of a forest giant / Is seldom heard by men." This line suggests that while the red man's disappearance may go unnoticed by many, there are still those who are aware of the loss and who mourn it. This is further reinforced by the final lines of the poem, which read, "But though the red man is a dreamer / His footprints not wholly erased."

These lines suggest that while the red man may be disappearing, he is not completely gone. His legacy and his impact on the land and its people still remain, even if they are not always visible or acknowledged. This idea of redemption and hope is a powerful one, as it suggests that even in the face of loss and change, there is still something to hold onto and celebrate.

Overall, "The Vanishing Red" is a powerful and evocative poem that speaks to the themes of loss, change, and the passing of time. It is a reminder of the impact that European colonization had on the indigenous peoples of America, and of the importance of remembering and celebrating their culture and history. At the same time, it is a poem of hope and redemption, suggesting that even in the face of loss and change, there is still something to hold onto and celebrate.

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