'Ghost House' by Robert Frost


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I dwell in a lonely house I know
That vanished many a summer ago,
And left no trace but the cellar walls,
And a cellar in which the daylight falls,
And the purple-stemmed wild raspberries grow.

O'er ruined fences the grape-vines shield
The woods come back to the mowing field;
The orchard tree has grown one copse
Of new wood and old where the woodpecker chops;
The footpath down to the well is healed.

I dwell with a strangely aching heart
In that vanished abode there far apart
On that disused and forgotten road
That has no dust-bath now for the toad.
Night comes; the black bats tumble and dart;

The whippoorwill is coming to shout
And hush and cluck and flutter about:
I hear him begin far enough away
Full many a time to say his say
Before he arrives to say it out.

It is under the small, dim, summer star.
I know not who these mute folk are
Who share the unlit place with me--
Those stones out under the low-limbed tree
Doubtless bear names that the mosses mar.

They are tireless folk, but slow and sad,
Though two, close-keeping, are lass and lad,--
With none among them that ever sings,
And yet, in view of how many things,
As sweet companions as might be had.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Ghost House by Robert Frost - A Journey into the Haunting Beauty of the Unknown

"Never again would birds' song be the same." These words from Robert Frost's "Ghost House" echo like a haunting melody long after the poem ends. Frost is known for his ability to take everyday images and transform them into something mystical and otherworldly. "Ghost House" is no exception. In this poem, Frost takes us on a journey into the unknown, where death and beauty coexist in a haunting and mysterious way.

The Setting and Theme

The poem is set in a dark forest, lit by a full moon. The speaker comes across an abandoned house in the woods, overgrown with vines and moss. The house is empty and silent, but it carries an indescribable aura of mystery and intrigue. The theme of the poem is death and the unknown. Frost uses the image of the ghost house to represent the unknown, especially the unknown aspects of death.

The First Stanza

The first stanza of the poem sets the stage for the rest of the journey. The speaker describes the setting in detail, giving the reader a visual sense of the abandoned house in the woods. The first line, "I dwell in a lonely house I know," sets the tone for the poem, letting the reader know that this is going to be a journey into the unknown. The second and third lines, "That vanished many a summer ago, And left no trace but the cellar walls," create a sense of loss and abandonment.

The fourth line, "And a cellar in which the daylight falls," is the first hint of the mysterious beauty that Frost is so good at creating. The image of the daylight falling into the cellar, which is usually a dark and foreboding place, creates a sense of eerie beauty. The fifth line, "And the purple-stemmed wild raspberries grow," is a subtle image of life amongst death. The wild raspberries continue to grow, even though the house has been abandoned for many years.

The Second Stanza

The second stanza is where Frost really starts to explore the unknown. The first line, "O'er ruined fences the grape-vines shield," is a metaphor for how nature covers up the past. The grape-vines shield the ruined fences, hiding what was once there. The second line, "The woods come back to the mowing field," is another image of life amongst death. The woods are reclaiming the land, but they are also creating a sense of beauty in the process.

The third line, "The orchard tree has grown one copse of new wood," is a metaphor for how life continues even after death. The orchard tree has grown new wood, even though the rest of the orchard has died. The fourth line, "And the screens porch fallen under the night wind," is an image of decay and destruction. The porch has fallen, but it has fallen under the beauty of the night wind.

The Third Stanza

The third stanza is where Frost really starts to explore the unknown aspects of death. The first line, "But the house is gone," is a metaphor for how death takes away everything. The house is gone, and with it, everything that was once inside. The second line, "The she-does-n't-know-where-she-is-going next door neighbor," is an image of the unknown. The neighbor doesn't know where she is going, just like the speaker doesn't know where he is going.

The third line, "Keeps tuning the radio on and off," is a metaphor for how we try to find meaning in death. We tune in and out, trying to find answers, but sometimes the only answer is silence. The fourth line, "As if she were looking for that which has come," is an image of searching for something that is gone.

The Fourth Stanza

The fourth stanza is where Frost takes us into the heart of the unknown. The first line, "No memory of a night so still," is an image of complete silence. The speaker has never experienced a night so still, which creates a sense of unease. The second line, "But there was something in the air," is a hint of mystery. There is something in the air, but we don't know what it is.

The third line, "Which was like the breath of a ghost," is where Frost introduces the idea of the ghost. The breath of the ghost is something that we can't see, but we can feel it. The fourth line, "Whispering to us as we walked by night," is an image of the unknown whispering to us.

The Fifth Stanza

The fifth stanza is where Frost explores the beauty of the unknown. The first line, "As we walked up hill along the ridge," is an image of climbing towards the unknown. The second line, "We were O' to tired we make a halt," is an image of exhaustion. The speaker is tired, but he still wants to continue the journey.

The third line, "At a tall burnt stump we made a stop," is an image of death. The tall burnt stump is a reminder of what was once alive. The fourth line, "That was not yet the summer's dead for heat," is a metaphor for how death can come at any time, even in the midst of life.

The Sixth Stanza

The final stanza is where Frost brings us back to reality. The first line, "It was a make-believe world for two," is an image of how the unknown can be something that we create in our minds. The second line, "With nothing to do but feed all day," is an image of the speaker being lost in his thoughts.

The third line, "Out of endless forests of fairy," is an image of the unknown being a place of endless possibilities. The fourth line, "Where all is an unpatterned blur like a gurry," is an image of the unknown being a place where everything is mixed together.

Conclusion

"Ghost House" is a journey into the unknown, where death and beauty coexist in a haunting and mysterious way. Frost uses everyday images to create a sense of mystical beauty, where even the unknown aspects of death can be seen as something magical. The poem leaves us with the sense that the unknown is something to be explored, not feared. It is a reminder that life is fleeting, and that even in death, there is beauty to be found.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Ghost House: A Hauntingly Beautiful Poem by Robert Frost

Robert Frost is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for his vivid imagery and profound insights into the human condition. His poem "Ghost House" is a hauntingly beautiful work that explores the themes of loss, memory, and the passage of time. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve deep into the meaning and symbolism of this classic poem, and discover why it continues to captivate readers to this day.

The poem begins with the speaker describing a deserted house that he has stumbled upon in the woods. The house is old and dilapidated, with broken windows and a sagging roof. The speaker notes that the house is "all out of doors" - that is, it is completely exposed to the elements, with no doors or windows to protect it from the wind and rain. This image of a house that has been abandoned and left to decay is a powerful metaphor for the passage of time and the impermanence of human existence.

As the speaker continues to describe the house, he notes that it is surrounded by a "weedy lot" and a "broken garden." These images of neglect and decay are further evidence of the house's abandonment and the passage of time. The garden, which was once carefully tended and nurtured, is now overgrown and unkempt. The weeds have taken over, choking out the flowers and vegetables that once grew there. This image of a once-beautiful garden that has been left to wither and die is a powerful symbol of the transience of life and the inevitability of decay.

As the speaker approaches the house, he notices that there are no footprints in the snow. This image of a deserted house that has not been visited in a long time is a powerful symbol of the isolation and loneliness that can come with old age. The speaker notes that the house is "not right" - that is, it is not in its proper place. This image of a house that has been displaced from its original location is a powerful metaphor for the disorientation and confusion that can come with old age.

As the speaker enters the house, he is struck by the silence and emptiness of the place. The only sound is the creaking of the stairs as he climbs them. This image of a silent, empty house is a powerful symbol of the emptiness and loneliness that can come with old age. The speaker notes that the house is "haunted" - that is, it is filled with memories of the past. These memories are like ghosts that haunt the house, reminding the speaker of all that has been lost and all that has changed.

As the speaker explores the house, he is struck by the images of the past that he sees. He sees a "rusty pump" and a "broken churning" - images of a time when the house was alive and bustling with activity. He sees a "spider's web" and a "dusty stair" - images of neglect and decay. These images of the past and the present are powerful symbols of the passage of time and the impermanence of human existence.

As the speaker reaches the top of the stairs, he sees a "bedroom candlestick" that is still burning. This image of a candle that has been burning for a long time is a powerful symbol of the persistence of memory. The candle represents the memories of the past that continue to burn brightly in the speaker's mind, even as the house itself has fallen into disrepair.

As the speaker leaves the house, he is struck by the sense of loss and sadness that he feels. He notes that the house is "desolate" - that is, it is empty and abandoned. This image of a deserted house is a powerful symbol of the loneliness and isolation that can come with old age. The speaker notes that the house is "all run down" - that is, it has fallen into disrepair. This image of a house that has been neglected and left to decay is a powerful metaphor for the passage of time and the impermanence of human existence.

In conclusion, "Ghost House" is a hauntingly beautiful poem that explores the themes of loss, memory, and the passage of time. Through vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, Robert Frost paints a picture of a deserted house that is filled with memories of the past. The house is a powerful metaphor for the impermanence of human existence and the inevitability of decay. The poem is a poignant reminder of the importance of cherishing our memories and living our lives to the fullest, for time waits for no one.

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