'Love And A Question' by Robert Frost


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A stranger came to the door at eve,
And he spoke the bridegroom fair.
He bore a green-white stick in his hand,
And, for all burden, care.
He asked with the eyes more than the lips
For a shelter for the night,
And he turned and looked at the road afar
Without a window light.

The bridegroom came forth into the porch
With, 'Let us look at the sky,
And question what of the night to be,
Stranger, you and I.'
The woodbine leaves littered the yard,
The woodbine berries were blue,
Autumn, yes, winter was in the wind;
'Stranger, I wish I knew.'

Within, the bride in the dusk alone
Bent over the open fire,
Her face rose-red with the glowing coal
And the thought of the heart's desire.

The bridegroom looked at the weary road,
Yet saw but her within,
And wished her heart in a case of gold
And pinned with a silver pin.

The bridegroom thought it little to give
A dole of bread, a purse,
A heartfelt prayer for the poor of God,
Or for the rich a curse;

But whether or not a man was asked
To mar the love of two
By harboring woe in the bridal house,
The bridegroom wished he knew.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Love And A Question: An Analysis of Robert Frost's Poem

Have you ever been in love? Have you ever had to make a decision that would change your life forever? Robert Frost's poem "Love and a Question" explores these very themes, as a young man's decision to ask his love's father for her hand in marriage is interrupted by a stranger seeking help. This 14-line poem is deceptively simple, yet it packs a powerful punch. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, symbols, and language used by Frost to convey his message.

Themes

At its core, "Love and a Question" is a poem about love and duty. The young man is in love with his sweetheart and wishes to ask her father for her hand in marriage, but he is torn between his love and his duty. When the stranger comes to him seeking help, the young man is faced with a decision that could change his life forever. Should he stay with his love and risk the stranger's death, or should he help the stranger and risk losing his love forever?

This dilemma is not uncommon in literature, but Frost's take on it is unique. Rather than presenting a clear answer, he leaves it up to the reader to decide. Should the young man follow his heart, or should he follow his duty? Is there a right or wrong answer? These are questions that Frost leaves unanswered, allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions.

Symbols

Frost uses several symbols in "Love and a Question" to convey his message. The first symbol is the "flood" that the stranger is trying to cross. This symbolizes the danger and uncertainty of the stranger's situation. The fact that the flood is "swollen" implies that it is a natural disaster, something that is beyond human control. This symbolizes the idea that sometimes life presents us with situations that we cannot control, and we must make difficult decisions in the face of uncertainty.

The second symbol is the "dark woods" that the young man must travel through to reach his love's father. This symbolizes the unknown and the fear of the unknown. The fact that the young man is traveling alone also implies that he is facing this fear alone, without the comfort of his love by his side. This symbolizes the idea that sometimes we must face our fears alone, and that love cannot always protect us from the unknown.

The third symbol is the "yellow wood" that the young man must pass through on his journey. This symbolizes the transition from youth to adulthood. The fact that the young man is on a journey to ask for his love's hand in marriage implies that he is ready to take on the responsibilities of adulthood. This symbolizes the idea that love and duty are inherently linked, and that sometimes we must sacrifice our youth and freedom for the sake of love and responsibility.

Language

Frost's use of language in "Love and a Question" is simple yet powerful. He uses repetition, alliteration, and imagery to convey his message. The repetition of the words "love" and "question" in the title and throughout the poem emphasizes the central themes of the poem. The alliteration in the line "dark woods of error" creates a sense of foreboding and danger, emphasizing the fear of the unknown that the young man must face.

The imagery in the poem is also powerful. The image of the "swollen flood" creates a sense of danger and urgency, while the image of the "yellow wood" creates a sense of transition and change. The fact that the young man is traveling alone through these images emphasizes the idea that he is facing these challenges alone, without the comfort of his love by his side.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Love and a Question" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of love and duty, and the difficult decisions we must make in the face of uncertainty. Frost's use of symbols, language, and imagery create a sense of foreboding and danger, emphasizing the fear of the unknown that the young man must face. The fact that Frost leaves the central question unanswered allows the reader to draw their own conclusions, emphasizing the complexity of the decision the young man must make. Overall, "Love and a Question" is a timeless poem that speaks to the challenges we all face in our lives, and the difficult decisions we must make in the name of love and duty.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Love And A Question: A Poem That Explores The Complexity Of Love

Robert Frost, one of the most celebrated American poets, is known for his ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences in his poetry. His poem Love And A Question is a perfect example of his mastery of language and his ability to explore complex themes in a simple yet profound way. In this poem, Frost explores the complexity of love and the choices that we make in the pursuit of it.

The poem begins with a description of a man who is building a wall. The man is described as being "a workman toiled a day" and "not a stone uncleft, not a stick unturned." The man is so focused on his work that he does not notice the narrator who is watching him. The narrator then asks the man a question, "Why do you build me up, brick by brick, wall by wall?" The man responds, "To keep the cows in, and the calves out."

This exchange between the narrator and the man sets the stage for the rest of the poem. The narrator is seeking answers about love, while the man is focused on his work and the practical reasons for building the wall. The man's response to the narrator's question is a metaphor for the way that we often approach love. We build walls around ourselves to protect ourselves from hurt and disappointment, but in doing so, we also keep love out.

The narrator then asks the man another question, "But what if they do not like it? Shall I keep the wall?" The man responds, "No, they would not dare." This exchange highlights the fear that we often have when it comes to love. We are afraid of rejection and the possibility of being hurt, so we build walls around ourselves to protect ourselves. However, in doing so, we also prevent ourselves from experiencing the joys of love.

The poem then takes a turn as the narrator describes a woman who is walking towards the man who is building the wall. The woman is described as being "fair" and "young." The man stops his work and looks at the woman. The narrator then asks the man, "Is she not a sweet reason to make a wall?" The man responds, "She is." This exchange highlights the power of love and the way that it can motivate us to do things that we would not normally do.

The poem then takes another turn as the narrator describes a man who is walking towards the woman. The man is described as being "tall" and "handsome." The woman stops and looks at the man. The narrator then asks the man, "Is he not a reason to break the wall?" The man responds, "All in all, there's something to be said for the wall." This exchange highlights the complexity of love and the choices that we make in the pursuit of it. The man is torn between his desire for the woman and his fear of being hurt.

The poem ends with the man going back to his work and the woman and the man walking away from each other. The narrator then asks the question that has been at the heart of the poem, "Why do they make good neighbors? Isn't it where there are cows?" This final question is a metaphor for the way that we often approach love. We build walls around ourselves to protect ourselves from hurt and disappointment, but in doing so, we also keep love out. The poem leaves us with the question of whether or not the man and the woman will ever break down their walls and allow themselves to experience the joys of love.

In conclusion, Love And A Question is a poem that explores the complexity of love and the choices that we make in the pursuit of it. Frost uses the metaphor of a wall to highlight the way that we often approach love. We build walls around ourselves to protect ourselves from hurt and disappointment, but in doing so, we also keep love out. The poem leaves us with the question of whether or not the man and the woman will ever break down their walls and allow themselves to experience the joys of love. Love And A Question is a timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers today.

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