'Hill Wife, The' by Robert Lee Frost


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LONELINESS
(Her Word)
One ought not to have to care
So much as you and I
Care when the birds come round the house
To seem to say good-bye;
Or care so much when they come back
With whatever it is they sing;
The truth being we are as much
Too glad for the one thing
As we are too sad for the other here --
With birds that fill their breasts
But with each other and themselves
And their built or driven nests.

HOUSE FEAR
Always -- I tell you this they learned--
Always at night when they returned
To the lonely house from far away
To lamps unlighted and fire gone gray,
They learned to rattle the lock and key
To give whatever might chance to be
Warning and time to be off in flight:
And preferring the out- to the in-door night,
They. learned to leave the house-door wide
Until they had lit the lamp inside.

THE SMILE
(Her Word)
I didn't like the way he went away.
That smile! It never came of being gay.
Still he smiled- did you see him?- I was sure!
Perhaps because we gave him only bread
And the wretch knew from that that we were poor.
Perhaps because he let us give instead
Of seizing from us as he might have seized.
Perhaps he mocked at us for being wed,
Or being very young (and he was pleased
To have a vision of us old and dead).
I wonder how far down the road he's got.
He's watching from the woods as like as not.

THE OFT-REPEATED DREAM
She had no saying dark enough
For the dark pine that kept
Forever trying the window-latch
Of the room where they slept.
The tireless but ineffectual hands
That with every futile pass
Made the great tree seem as a little bird
Before the mystery of glass!
It never had been inside the room,
And only one of the two
Was afraid in an oft-repeated dream
Of what the tree might do.

THE IMPULSE
It was too lonely for her there,
And too wild,
And since there were but two of them,
And no child,
And work was little in the house,
She was free,
And followed where he furrowed field,
Or felled tree.
She rested on a log and tossed
The fresh chips,
With a song only to herself
On her lips.
And once she went to break a bough
Of black alder.
She strayed so far she scarcely heard.
When he called her--
And didn't answer -- didn't speak --
Or return.
She stood, and then she ran and hid
In the fern.
He never found her, though he looked
Everywhere,
And he asked at her mother's house
Was she there.
Sudden and swift and light as that
The ties gave,
And he learned of finalities
Besides the grave.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Frost's "Hill Wife": An Interpretive Analysis

Robert Lee Frost's "Hill Wife" is an intriguing, complex poem that delves into themes of isolation, gender, and the search for identity. Written in 1920, this poem is a classic example of Frost's mastery of language and his ability to create vivid, compelling images that resonate with readers. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll explore the meaning behind "Hill Wife," examining the poem's structure, language, and themes to unpack its deeper significance.

Overview of "Hill Wife"

At its core, "Hill Wife" is the story of a woman who has retreated from society to live alone in the hills. The poem's speaker, who is likely male, is drawn to the woman and is curious about her way of life. He describes her surroundings in great detail, noting the natural beauty of the hills and the woman's rustic cabin. He also observes the woman's daily routine, which consists of tending to her garden and livestock, cooking, and doing household chores. The speaker is intrigued by the woman's independence and self-sufficiency, but he also senses her loneliness and isolation.

Throughout the poem, the speaker imagines what it would be like to live as the woman does, enjoying the freedom of the hills and the simplicity of life without modern amenities. However, he also recognizes the challenges of such a life, particularly for a woman who must fend for herself in a world dominated by men. Ultimately, the speaker's musings lead him to reflect on his own life and the choices he has made.

Structure of "Hill Wife"

One of the most striking features of "Hill Wife" is its use of repetition and parallelism. The poem consists of four stanzas, each of which follows the same basic structure: a description of the woman's surroundings, followed by a depiction of her daily routine. Each stanza begins with the line "No maidens but are some man's daughters," which serves to emphasize the woman's isolation from society. The repetition of this line also creates a sense of rhythm and continuity, drawing the reader into the speaker's reflections.

Another notable aspect of the poem's structure is its use of imagery and symbolism. Frost employs vivid, sensory language to paint a picture of the woman's surroundings, from the "tangled underbrush" of the hills to the "smoky-smelling roof" of her cabin. These images serve to convey the woman's connection to nature and her self-sufficient way of life. Frost also uses symbolism to underscore the woman's isolation, such as the "broken shed" and the "fenceless slope" that mark the boundary of her world.

Language in "Hill Wife"

Frost's language in "Hill Wife" is both simple and complex, using everyday vocabulary to convey complex themes and ideas. The poem's opening lines, "No maidens but are some man's daughters / Yet would not serve two masters," establish the poem's central tension between gender roles and independence. Frost uses description and sensory language to create a vivid picture of the woman's surroundings, as in the line "Her porch was her extension of the forest / Like the continual outcrop of a vein," which conveys the woman's connection to nature and her self-sufficient way of life.

The poem is also notable for its use of repetition and parallelism, as noted above. This technique serves to create a sense of rhythm and continuity, drawing the reader into the speaker's reflections. Frost also employs symbolism to underscore the woman's isolation and self-sufficiency, as in the line "Her garden shrivels in a week / Frost-tightened and over-picked," which conveys the fragility of the woman's way of life and her ability to survive in a harsh environment.

Themes in "Hill Wife"

At its core, "Hill Wife" is a poem about isolation and the search for identity. The woman in the poem has chosen to retreat from society and live alone in the hills, forging her own way of life and identity. The poem's speaker is drawn to her independence and self-sufficiency, but he also recognizes the challenges of such a life, particularly for a woman. The poem thus highlights the tension between gender roles and individual freedom, as well as the difficulty of finding meaning and purpose in a world that values conformity and conventionality.

Another theme of "Hill Wife" is the human desire for simplicity and connection to nature. The woman in the poem has rejected the trappings of modern society and instead lives in harmony with the natural world. The speaker is drawn to her way of life, imagining what it would be like to live in the hills and "milk the cows" and "chop the wood." This desire for simplicity and connection to nature is a recurring theme in Frost's poetry, reflecting his belief in the importance of the natural world in human life.

Interpretation of "Hill Wife"

So what does "Hill Wife" mean? At its core, the poem is a reflection on the human search for identity and the tension between individual freedom and societal expectations. The woman in the poem has chosen to live alone in the hills, forging her own way of life and identity despite the challenges she faces as a woman. The poem's speaker is drawn to her independence and self-sufficiency, but he also recognizes the limitations of such a life. Ultimately, the poem asks us to consider the choices we make in life and the meaning we derive from them.

At the same time, "Hill Wife" also celebrates the human desire for simplicity and connection to nature. The woman in the poem has rejected the trappings of modern society and instead lives in harmony with the natural world, a theme that is repeated throughout Frost's poetry. This desire for simplicity and connection to nature is a reminder of our fundamental connection to the natural world and the importance of preserving it.

In conclusion, "Hill Wife" is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores themes of isolation, gender, and the search for identity. Frost's use of repetition, parallelism, and symbolism creates a vivid picture of the woman's surroundings and her self-sufficient way of life. At the same time, the poem asks us to consider the choices we make in life and the meaning we derive from them, while celebrating our fundamental connection to the natural world.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Poetry Hill Wife by Robert Lee Frost is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. Frost's ability to capture the essence of rural life in New England is unparalleled, and this poem is no exception. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism used by Frost to create a vivid picture of life on Poetry Hill.

The poem begins with a description of the hill itself, which is covered in wildflowers and surrounded by a forest. The speaker then introduces us to the Poetry Hill Wife, who is described as "a woman like a fountain in a pool / A woman like a hilltop in the sun." This comparison to natural elements sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Frost uses imagery to create a sense of harmony between the woman and her surroundings.

The first stanza also introduces the theme of isolation, as the woman is described as living "far from the town." This isolation is further emphasized in the second stanza, where the speaker describes the woman's daily routine of tending to her garden and livestock. Frost uses vivid imagery to create a sense of the woman's connection to the land, as she "stoops to pick / An early bud that will be blown away / Unless she takes it for her own." This sense of ownership over the land is a recurring theme in Frost's work, and it is particularly relevant in this poem as the woman's isolation is tied to her connection to the land.

The third stanza introduces the theme of creativity, as the speaker describes the woman's love of poetry. Frost uses the metaphor of the woman's "heart [being] a well of rhyme" to convey the depth of her passion for poetry. This theme is further developed in the fourth stanza, where the speaker describes the woman's habit of reciting poetry to herself as she works. Frost uses the imagery of the woman's voice "like water falling into water" to create a sense of the woman's connection to the natural world.

The fifth stanza introduces the theme of mortality, as the speaker describes the woman's fear of death. Frost uses the metaphor of the woman's "heart [being] a well of tears" to convey the depth of her sadness at the thought of her own mortality. This theme is further developed in the sixth stanza, where the speaker describes the woman's habit of visiting the graves of her loved ones. Frost uses the imagery of the woman's "footfall hushed" to create a sense of reverence for the dead.

The final stanza brings together all of the themes introduced in the previous stanzas, as the speaker describes the woman's connection to the land, her love of poetry, and her fear of death. Frost uses the metaphor of the woman's "heart [being] a well of love" to convey the depth of her emotions. The final lines of the poem, "She knows that hills are holy things, / And that poets are holy men," tie together the themes of nature, creativity, and mortality, and suggest that the woman's connection to the land and her love of poetry are what give her life meaning.

In addition to the themes explored in the poem, Frost also uses imagery and symbolism to create a vivid picture of life on Poetry Hill. The wildflowers that cover the hill are a symbol of the woman's connection to the natural world, and the forest that surrounds the hill represents the isolation that she feels. The woman's garden and livestock are symbols of her connection to the land, and the poetry that she loves is a symbol of her creativity and passion for life. The graves that she visits are a symbol of her fear of death, and the hills themselves are a symbol of the sacredness of nature.

Overall, The Poetry Hill Wife is a masterful poem that explores themes of nature, creativity, and mortality. Frost's use of imagery and symbolism creates a vivid picture of life on Poetry Hill, and his ability to capture the essence of rural life in New England is unparalleled. This poem is a testament to Frost's skill as a poet, and it is a timeless work that continues to resonate with readers today.

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