'Grindstone , The' by Robert Lee Frost
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Having a wheel and four legs of its own
Has never availed the cumbersome grindstone
To get it anywhere that I can see.
These hands have helped it go, and even race;
Not all the motion, though, they ever lent,
Not all tke miles it may have thought it went,
Have got it one step from the starting place.
It stands beside the same old apple tree.
The shadow of the apple tree is thin
Upon it now its feet as fast in snow.
All other farm machinery's gone in,
And some of it on no more legs and wheel
Than the grindstone can boast to stand or go.
(I'm thinking chiefly of the wheelbarrow.)
For months it hasn't known the taste of steel
Washed down with rusty water in a tin..
But standing outdoors hungry, in the cold,
Except in towns at night is not a sin.
And> anyway, it's standing in the yard
Under a ruinous live apple tree
Has nothing any more to do with me,
Except that I remember how of old
One summer day, all day I drove it hard,
And someone mounted on it rode it hard
And he and I between us ground a blade.
I gave it the preliminary spin
And poured on water (tears it might have been);
And when it almost gaily jumped and flowed,
A Father-Time-like man got on and rode,
Armed with a scythe and spectacles that glowed.
He turned on will-power to increase the load
And slow me down -- and I abruptly slowed,
Like coming to a sudden railroad station.
I changed from hand to hand in desperation.
I wondered what machine of ages gone
This represented an improvement on.
For all I knew it may have sharpened spears
And arrowheads itself. Much use.for years
Had gradually worn it an oblate
Spheroid that kicked and struggled in its gait,
Appearing to return me hate for hate;
(But I forgive it now as easily
As any other boyhood enemy
Whose pride has failed to get him anywhere).
I wondered who it was the man thought ground
-The one who held the wheel back or the one
Who gave his life to keep it going round?
· I wondered if he really thought it fair
For him to have the say when we were done.
Such were the bitter thoughts to which I turned.
Not for myself was I so much concerned
Oh no --Although, of course, I could have found
A better way to pass the afternoon
Than grinding discord out of a grindstone,
And beating insects at their gritty tune.
Nor was I for the man so much concerned.
Once when the grindstone almost jumped its bearing
It looked as if he might be badly thrown
And wounded on his blade. So far from caring,
I laughed inside, and only cranked the faster
(It ran as if it wasn't greased but glued);
I'd welcome any moderate disaster
That might be calculated to postpone
What evidently nothing could conclude.
The thing that made me more and more afraid
Was that we'd ground it sharp and hadn't known,
And now were only wasting precious blade.
And when he raised it dripping once and tried
The creepy edge of it with wary touch
And viewed it over his glasses funny-eyed,
Only disinterestedly to decide
It needed a turn more, I could have cried
Wasn't there a danger of a turn too much?
Mightn't we make it worse instead of better?
I was for leaving something to the whettot.
What if it wasn't all it should be? I'd
Be satisfied if he'd be satisfied.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Literary Criticism and Interpretation of "Grindstone" by Robert Frost
Introduction
"Grindstone" is a poem by Robert Lee Frost, a famous American poet who is known for his unique style and use of nature as a metaphor for life. In this poem, Frost uses a grindstone as a symbol for the hard work and effort that is required to achieve success in life. The poem is a reflection on the human condition and the struggle that we all face in trying to find our place in the world.
Analysis
The poem opens with the speaker describing a grindstone that is sitting in a field. The grindstone is described as being worn and old, but still capable of doing its job. Frost uses this image to represent the human condition, where we are all worn and old, but still capable of achieving great things. The fact that the grindstone is in a field also suggests that it is a part of nature, and by extension, so are we.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the idea of hard work and effort. The speaker describes how the grindstone must be turned by hand in order to sharpen tools. This is a metaphor for the hard work and effort that is required to achieve success in life. The fact that the grindstone is turned by hand also suggests that this effort must come from within ourselves.
The third stanza of the poem introduces the idea of time passing. The speaker describes how the grindstone has been used for many years, and how it has changed over time. This is a metaphor for how we change and grow over time. The fact that the grindstone is still capable of doing its job suggests that we too can still achieve great things, no matter how much time has passed.
The fourth stanza of the poem introduces the idea of the grindstone being used for different purposes. The speaker describes how the grindstone can be used to sharpen all sorts of different tools. This is a metaphor for how we can use our talents and abilities in different ways to achieve different goals.
The final stanza of the poem brings all of these ideas together. The speaker describes how the grindstone is a symbol for life itself, and how we must all work hard and persevere in order to achieve success. The fact that the grindstone is still capable of doing its job, despite its age and wear, suggests that we too can still achieve great things, no matter what obstacles we may face.
Interpretation
"Grindstone" is a poem that speaks to the human condition and the struggle that we all face in trying to find our place in the world. Frost uses the image of a grindstone as a metaphor for life, and shows us that hard work and effort are required in order to achieve success. The fact that the grindstone is in a field also suggests that we are a part of nature, and that we must work with nature in order to achieve our goals.
The poem also suggests that time is an important factor in our lives. The fact that the grindstone has been used for many years, and has changed over time, suggests that we too change and grow over time. However, the fact that the grindstone is still capable of doing its job, despite its age and wear, suggests that we too can still achieve great things, no matter how much time has passed.
Frost also suggests that we can use our talents and abilities in different ways to achieve different goals. The fact that the grindstone can be used to sharpen different tools suggests that we too can use our skills and abilities in different ways to achieve different goals.
Overall, "Grindstone" is a powerful poem that speaks to the human condition and the struggle that we all face in trying to find our place in the world. Frost's use of metaphors and imagery are powerful, and he is able to convey complex ideas in a simple and accessible way. It is a poem that is both inspiring and thought-provoking, and it is a testament to Frost's skill as a poet.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Grindstone" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem by Robert Frost. It speaks to the human condition and the struggle that we all face in trying to find our place in the world. Frost's use of metaphors and imagery are powerful and effective, and he is able to convey complex ideas in a simple and accessible way. The poem is a testament to Frost's skill as a poet, and it is a timeless reflection on the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Robert Lee Frost is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, and his poem "The Grindstone" is a classic example of his mastery of the craft. This poem is a beautiful and poignant meditation on the nature of work, and the way that it shapes our lives and our relationships with others.
At its core, "The Grindstone" is a poem about the importance of hard work and perseverance. The poem tells the story of a man who spends his days grinding away at a grindstone, working tirelessly to sharpen his tools and make a living for himself and his family. Despite the drudgery of his work, the man takes pride in his labor and finds satisfaction in the knowledge that he is providing for his loved ones.
Throughout the poem, Frost uses vivid imagery and powerful metaphors to convey the man's sense of purpose and dedication. For example, he describes the grindstone itself as "a thing of beauty and a joy forever," suggesting that even the most mundane and utilitarian objects can hold a kind of transcendent beauty when viewed through the lens of hard work and dedication.
Similarly, Frost uses the image of the man's tools to symbolize the importance of perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity. The man's tools are described as "old and blunt and thin," yet he continues to work tirelessly to sharpen them, knowing that his livelihood depends on their effectiveness. This image is a powerful reminder that even the most humble and unassuming objects can hold great significance when viewed through the lens of hard work and dedication.
Another key theme of "The Grindstone" is the importance of community and the bonds that are formed through shared labor. Throughout the poem, Frost emphasizes the man's connection to his family and his neighbors, all of whom rely on his hard work and dedication to make their own lives possible. This sense of community is reflected in the poem's final lines, which describe the man's work as a "song of the grindstone" that echoes through the valley and brings people together in a shared sense of purpose and accomplishment.
Overall, "The Grindstone" is a beautiful and moving poem that speaks to the universal human experience of hard work and perseverance. Through its vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, Frost captures the essence of what it means to labor tirelessly in pursuit of a better life, and reminds us of the importance of community and shared purpose in our lives. Whether read as a celebration of the dignity of labor or as a meditation on the nature of human connection, this poem is a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers today.
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