For Once, Then, Something Analysis

Author: Poetry of Robert Frost Type: Poetry Views: 2176

Others taught me with having knelt at well-curbs

Always wrong to the light, so never seeing

Deeper down in the well than where the water

Gives me back in a shining surface picture

Me myself in the summer heaven godlike

Looking out of a wreath of fern and cloud puffs.

Once, when trying with chin against a well-curb,

I discerned, as I thought, beyond the picture,

Through the picture, a something white, uncertain,

Something more of the depths--and then I lost it.

Water came to rebuke the too clear water.

One drop fell from a fern, and lo, a ripple

Shook whatever it was lay there at bottom,

Blurred it, blotted it out. What was that whiteness?

Truth? A pebble of quartz? For once, then, something.

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||| Analysis | Critique | Overview Below |||

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I disagree with post 2007-05-03 in that the speaker is not merely dismissing his observation. The speaker has persisted at 'kneeling at well-curbs' and has continued to search their depths even after being ridiculed. Then, finally, after putting in so much effort and receiving no support, he sees something. He is not even sure what it is or whether it is even more important than a pebble, but he sees something. And that disappointingly faint glimmer is the glimmer of hope that spurs him on: 'for once, then, something' is really saying 'finally, I have seen something'; conveying both frustration and shaken yet persisting hope.

| Posted on 2009-11-03 | by a guest

.: :.

This reprint contains a major typo - the word should be 'taunt' not 'taugh' - the first sentence should read: Others taunt me with having knelt...

| Posted on 2008-06-24 | by a guest

.: :.

Frost is known for his homespun philosophy and comments on the human condition. the speaker seems to have been taught to see only the surface of things, not delving into their depths. this superficial way of seeing things may reflect one nuance of the human condition. This white object which is seen until the ripple blocks it out (not his references to nature) could represent many things, perhaps the colour white invites the reader to think that the speaker has momentarily seen into something deeper, and pure. The speaker seems to almost shrug off what he has seen by repeating the title of the poem; for once, then something.

| Posted on 2007-05-03 | by a guest

.: Frost, For Once, Then, So :.

The poem gives the impression that others have taught him to see things one way only, yet on one occasion, while looking in a different light, the speaker sees something in the reflection of his image that he has never seen it before. He tries to capture and describe what he sees, yet it eludes him. This brief encounter leads to the question as to whether he has seen this brief image correctly. This encournter also points out that he has been taught to see one way only and this may be incorrect.

| Posted on 2005-11-07 | by Approved Guest

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