'Fragmentary Blue' by Robert Frost


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Why make so much of fragmentary blue
In here and there a bird, or butterfly,
Or flower, or wearing-stone, or open eye,
When heaven presents in sheets the solid hue?Since earth is earth, perhaps, not heaven (as yet)--
Though some savants make earth include the sky;
And blue so far above us comes so high,
It only gives our wish for blue a whet.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Fragmentary Blue: A Deep Dive into Robert Frost's Masterpiece

Have you ever looked up at the sky and felt a sense of wonder and awe? Have you ever tried to capture that feeling in words? Robert Frost did just that in his poem, "Fragmentary Blue," a masterful work that explores the beauty and mystery of the natural world. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll take a deep dive into the poem and uncover its hidden meanings, its themes, and its relevance to our lives today.

Background

First, a little background on Robert Frost. Born in San Francisco in 1874, Frost is considered one of the greatest American poets of the 20th century. He wrote many poems that explore the beauty and complexity of nature, as well as the struggles of human existence. Frost won four Pulitzer Prizes for his work and was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1960.

"Fragmentary Blue" was written in 1920 and published in Frost's collection "Mountain Interval" in 1921. The poem is a short, free-verse work that captures a moment of beauty and wonder in the natural world.

Analysis

Let's take a closer look at the poem itself. Here it is in full:

Why make so much of fragmentary blue

In here and there a bird, or butterfly,

Or flower, or wearing-stone, or open eye,

When heaven presents in sheets the solid hue?

Since earth is earth, perhaps, not heaven (as yet)—

Though some savants make earth include the sky;

And blue so far above us comes so high,

It only gives our wish for blue a whet.

At first glance, "Fragmentary Blue" seems like a simple poem. It consists of only 13 lines, and the language is straightforward. However, as with many of Frost's works, there is much more going on beneath the surface.

The poem begins with a question: "Why make so much of fragmentary blue?" This line sets the tone for the entire poem, which is essentially an exploration of the human urge to find meaning in the natural world. The "fragmentary blue" refers to small glimpses of blue that we might see in nature – a bird's wing, a butterfly's wing, a flower, or a stone. These glimpses are "fragmentary" because they are small and fleeting, and they only give us a partial view of the larger picture.

Frost then goes on to ask why we make so much of these glimpses of blue when the sky itself is an unbroken expanse of blue. He suggests that perhaps we are drawn to these glimpses of blue because they remind us of something larger and more profound. He goes on to suggest that the reason we are drawn to blue is that it represents something we long for – a sense of transcendence, of connection to something greater than ourselves.

Frost then introduces the idea that "earth is earth, perhaps, not heaven (as yet)." This line is significant because it suggests that while we may long for transcendence, we are still firmly rooted in the physical world. However, Frost also suggests that some people believe that the earth includes the sky, which would mean that the physical world and the spiritual world are not as separate as we might think.

The poem then concludes with the line "And blue so far above us comes so high, / It only gives our wish for blue a whet." This line is particularly beautiful because it suggests that even though we may never fully understand the mysteries of the natural world, our longing for beauty and transcendence is enough to keep us searching.

Themes

So, what are the themes of "Fragmentary Blue"? Here are a few:

1. The beauty and mystery of the natural world

One of the most obvious themes of the poem is the beauty and mystery of the natural world. Frost is fascinated by the way that even small glimpses of beauty – like a fragmentary blue – can capture our attention and draw us in. He suggests that these glimpses of beauty are a reminder of something larger and more profound, something that we may never fully understand but that we are drawn to nonetheless.

2. The human urge to find meaning

Another theme of the poem is the human urge to find meaning in the world around us. Frost suggests that we are drawn to beauty and transcendence because they give us a sense of purpose and meaning. Even though we may never fully understand the mysteries of the natural world, our longing for something greater keeps us searching.

3. The relationship between the physical and spiritual worlds

Finally, the poem touches on the relationship between the physical and spiritual worlds. Frost suggests that while we are firmly rooted in the physical world, there may be a connection between the physical and spiritual that we don't fully understand. The idea that "earth is earth, perhaps, not heaven (as yet)" suggests that there may be more to the world than we can see and touch.

Interpretation

So, what does "Fragmentary Blue" mean? As with any work of art, there is no one correct interpretation. However, here are a few possible interpretations of the poem:

1. We are drawn to beauty and transcendence because they give our lives meaning.

Frost suggests that the reason we are drawn to beauty and transcendence is that they give our lives purpose and meaning. While we may never fully understand the mysteries of the natural world, the fact that we are drawn to them suggests that they are important to us in some way.

2. The natural world is a reminder of something larger and more profound.

Frost's poem suggests that even small glimpses of beauty in the natural world – like a fragmentary blue – can remind us of something larger and more profound. These glimpses are a reminder that there is more to the world than what we can see and touch.

3. The physical and spiritual worlds may be more connected than we think.

Finally, Frost suggests that the physical and spiritual worlds may be more connected than we think. While we may be firmly rooted in the physical world, there may be a connection between the physical and spiritual that we don't fully understand.

Conclusion

"Fragmentary Blue" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the beauty and mystery of the natural world. Robert Frost's language is simple, yet powerful, and his exploration of the human urge to find meaning in the world around us is both profound and moving. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of nature, "Fragmentary Blue" is a work that is sure to resonate with you.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Fragmentary Blue: A Masterpiece by Robert Frost

Robert Frost, one of the most celebrated American poets of the 20th century, is known for his profound and insightful poetry that captures the essence of human emotions and experiences. Among his many masterpieces, "Fragmentary Blue" stands out as a shining example of his poetic genius. This poem, with its simple yet evocative language, captures the beauty and fragility of life, and the fleeting moments of joy that make it worth living.

The poem begins with a simple observation of the sky, "The blue-plate in the sky / Lures my eye / To its pale hollow." The speaker is drawn to the blue color of the sky, which seems to be calling out to him. The use of the word "lures" suggests a sense of temptation, as if the speaker is being seduced by the beauty of the sky. The phrase "pale hollow" creates an image of a vast, empty space, which is both beautiful and haunting.

The second stanza continues the theme of beauty and fragility, "Blue, blue, electric blue / That is all I want to see / And I am sorry that I cannot share it with you." The repetition of the word "blue" emphasizes the speaker's obsession with the color, and the use of the phrase "electric blue" suggests a sense of energy and excitement. The line "That is all I want to see" highlights the speaker's single-minded focus on the beauty of the sky, and the sense of regret in the final line suggests that he wishes he could share this experience with someone else.

The third stanza introduces a sense of melancholy and nostalgia, "The sky is blue like an orange / The day is gone, it is always night / And I am thinking of you." The comparison of the blue sky to an orange is unexpected and creates a sense of disorientation, as if the speaker is struggling to make sense of his emotions. The line "The day is gone, it is always night" suggests a sense of loss and longing, as if the speaker is mourning the passing of time. The final line, "And I am thinking of you," adds a personal dimension to the poem, as if the speaker is addressing a specific person.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close with a sense of acceptance and resignation, "It is all in vain, a life sentence to bear / The sky is blue like a broken heart / And I am lost in the beauty of it." The phrase "a life sentence to bear" suggests a sense of burden and obligation, as if the speaker is resigned to the fact that life is full of pain and suffering. The comparison of the blue sky to a broken heart is poignant and powerful, suggesting that beauty and pain are intertwined. The final line, "And I am lost in the beauty of it," captures the paradoxical nature of life, where beauty and pain coexist and create a sense of wonder and awe.

In conclusion, "Fragmentary Blue" is a masterpiece of modern poetry, capturing the essence of human experience with its simple yet evocative language. The poem explores the themes of beauty, fragility, nostalgia, and acceptance, creating a powerful and moving portrait of life. Robert Frost's poetic genius shines through in every line, reminding us of the power of language to capture the complexities of the human heart.

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