'Mountain , The' by Robert Lee Frost

AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay



The mountain held the town as in a shadow
I saw so much before I slept there once:
I noticed that I missed stars in the west,
Where its black body cut into the sky.
Near me it seemed: I felt it like a wall
Behind which I was sheltered from a wind.
And yet between the town and it I found,
When I walked forth at dawn to see new things,
Were fields, a river, and beyond, more fields.
The river at the time was fallen away,
And made a widespread brawl on cobble-stones;
But the signs showed what it had done in spring;
Good grass-land gullied out, and in the grass
Ridges of sand, and driftwood stripped of bark.
I crossed the river and swung round the mountain.
And there I met a man who moved so slow
With white-faced oxen in a heavy cart,
It seemed no hand to stop him altogether.
"What town is this?" I asked.
"This? Lunenburg."
Then I was wrong: the town of my sojourn,
Beyond the bridge, was not that of the mountain,
But only felt at night its shadowy presence.
"Where is your village? Very far from here?"
"There is no village--only scattered farms.
We were but sixty voters last election.
We can't in nature grow to many more:
That thing takes all the room!" He moved his goad.
The mountain stood there to be pointed at.
Pasture ran up the side a little way,
And then there was a wall of trees with trunks:
After that only tops of trees, and cliffs
Imperfectly concealed among the leaves.
A dry ravine emerged from under boughs
Into the pasture.
"That looks like a path.
Is that the way to reach the top from here?--
Not for this morning, but some other time:
I must be getting back to breakfast now."
"I don't advise your trying from this side.
There is no proper path, but those that have
Been up, I understand, have climbed from Ladd's.
That's five miles back. You can't mistake the place:
They logged it there last winter some way up.
I'd take you, but I'm bound the other way."
"You've never climbed it?"
"I've been on the sides
Deer-hunting and trout-fishing. There's a brook
That starts up on it somewhere--I've heard say
Right on the top, tip-top--a curious thing.
But what would interest you about the brook,
It's always cold in summer, warm in winter.
One of the great sights going is to see
It steam in winter like an ox's breath,
Until the bushes all along its banks
Are inch-deep with the frosty spines and bristles--
You know the kind. Then let the sun shine on it!"
"There ought to be a view around the world
From such a mountain--if it isn't wooded
Clear to the top." I saw through leafy screens
Great granite terraces in sun and shadow,
Shelves one could rest a knee on getting up--
With depths behind him sheer a hundred feet;
Or turn and sit on and look out and down,
With little ferns in crevices at his elbow.
"As to that I can't say. But there's the spring,
Right on the summit, almost like a fountain.
That ought to be worth seeing."
"If it's there.
You never saw it?"
"I guess there's no doubt
About its being there. I never saw it.
It may not be right on the very top:
It wouldn't have to be a long way down
To have some head of water from above,
And a good distance down might not be noticed
By anyone who'd come a long way up.
One time I asked a fellow climbing it
To look and tell me later how it was."
"What did he say?"
"He said there was a lake
Somewhere in Ireland on a mountain top."
"But a lake's different. What about the spring?"
"He never got up high enough to see.
That's why I don't advise your trying this side.
He tried this side. I've always meant to go
And look myself, but you know how it is:
It doesn't seem so much to climb a mountain
You've worked around the foot of all your life.
What would I do? Go in my overalls,
With a big stick, the same as when the cows
Haven't come down to the bars at milking time?
Or with a shotgun for a stray black bear?
'Twouldn't seem real to climb for climbing it."
"I shouldn't climb it if I didn't want to--
Not for the sake of climbing. What's its name?"
"We call it Hor: I don't know if that's right."
"Can one walk around it? Would it be too far?"
"You can drive round and keep in Lunenburg,
But it's as much as ever you can do,
The boundary lines keep in so close to it.
Hor is the township, and the township's Hor--
And a few houses sprinkled round the foot,
Like boulders broken off the upper cliff,
Rolled out a little farther than the rest."
"Warm in December, cold in June, you say?"
"I don't suppose the water's changed at all.
You and I know enough to know it's warm
Compared with cold, and cold compared with warm.
But all the fun's in how you say a thing."
"You've lived here all your life?"
"Ever since Hor
Was no bigger than a----" What, I did not hear.
He drew the oxen toward him with light touches
Of his slim goad on nose and offside flank,
Gave them their marching orders and was moving.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Beauty and Complexity of Frost's "Mountain"

Robert Frost's "Mountain" is a poem that speaks to the soul. It's a masterful piece of literature that has captivated readers for generations. The poem is a contemplation on the beauty and complexity of nature, and the way that it can both inspire and humble us. Frost's use of language is precise and evocative, and he creates a vivid picture of the mountain that is both awe-inspiring and slightly terrifying. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism in "Mountain", and examine how they contribute to the poem's overall meaning.

Themes

At its core, "Mountain" is a poem about the power of nature. Frost marvels at the mountain's size and strength, and he is humbled by its beauty. The poem also touches on themes of time, mortality, and human frailty. Frost recognizes that the mountain has been around for centuries, and will continue to be there long after he is gone. He acknowledges that nature is indifferent to human concerns, and that our lives are fleeting in the grand scheme of things. The poem also explores the relationship between humans and nature, and the way that we are both a part of it and separate from it.

Imagery

Frost's use of imagery is one of the most striking aspects of "Mountain". He creates a vivid picture of the mountain, using language that is both precise and evocative. The poem opens with the lines:

The mountain held the town as in a shadow I saw so much before I slept there once: I noticed that I missed stars in the west, Where its black body cut into the sky.

These lines set the stage for the rest of the poem. Frost describes the mountain as a shadow, which suggests that it is a looming, ominous presence. He also notes that the mountain blocks out the stars in the west, which further emphasizes its size and power.

Frost goes on to describe the mountain in more detail, using phrases like "massive strength", "deep-voiced sea", and "power like a god". These descriptions create a sense of awe and reverence, and make it clear that Frost sees the mountain as a force to be reckoned with.

Another striking image in the poem is the description of the mountain as a "great wave". This metaphor is particularly effective because it simultaneously evokes the mountain's size and power, as well as its beauty and fluidity. The image of a wave also suggests that the mountain is constantly in motion, even if it appears to be still.

Symbolism

In addition to its vivid imagery, "Mountain" is also rich in symbolism. The poem can be read as an allegory for the human condition, with the mountain representing the challenges and obstacles that we face in life. Frost notes that the mountain has "been here before" and "will be here again", which suggests that it is a constant in an ever-changing world.

The mountain can also be seen as a symbol of nature itself, with all of its beauty, power, and indifference. Frost notes that "the mountain stood up" and "the mountain didn't know". These lines suggest that the mountain is both aware of its surroundings and completely separate from them. It is a part of nature, but it is also something greater than that.

Interpretation

So, what does "Mountain" ultimately mean? At its core, the poem is a meditation on the power and complexity of nature, and the way that it can both inspire and humble us. Frost recognizes that nature is indifferent to human concerns, and that our lives are fleeting in the grand scheme of things. He also notes that nature is a constant, and that the mountain will be there long after we are gone.

The poem can also be read as a commentary on the human condition. Frost recognizes that life is full of challenges and obstacles, and that we are often powerless in the face of them. However, he also suggests that there is beauty and majesty in the struggle, and that we can find strength in the natural world around us.

Conclusion

"Mountain" is a masterful piece of poetry that speaks to the heart and soul. Frost's use of imagery and symbolism creates a vivid picture of the mountain, and his contemplation on the power and complexity of nature is both humbling and inspiring. The poem is a reminder that we are all a part of something greater than ourselves, and that there is beauty and majesty in the struggle of life. It is a work of art that will continue to captivate readers for years to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Mountain, written by Robert Lee Frost, is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful piece of literature that captures the essence of nature and the human experience. In this analysis, we will take a closer look at the poem and explore its themes, imagery, and symbolism.

The poem begins with the speaker describing a mountain that he has been climbing. He talks about how the mountain is covered in snow and how the trees are bare. The imagery in this opening stanza is vivid and sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The snow and bare trees create a sense of isolation and loneliness, which is a recurring theme throughout the poem.

As the speaker continues to climb the mountain, he talks about how the snow is deep and how he is struggling to make his way through it. This is a metaphor for the struggles that we all face in life. The speaker is trying to overcome the obstacles in his path, just as we all try to overcome the obstacles in our own lives.

The second stanza of the poem is where the imagery really comes to life. The speaker talks about how he sees a bird flying in the distance. The bird is described as being "black against the whiteness" of the snow. This creates a beautiful contrast between the darkness of the bird and the whiteness of the snow. The bird is also a symbol of freedom and hope. It represents the idea that even in the midst of struggle and hardship, there is always a way out.

The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker reaches the summit of the mountain. He talks about how he is "breathless" and how he feels a sense of accomplishment. This is a powerful moment in the poem because it represents the idea that even when we are faced with challenges, we can still overcome them and achieve our goals.

The final stanza of the poem is where the symbolism really comes into play. The speaker talks about how he sees a "house in the woods" and how it represents a place of safety and comfort. This is a metaphor for the idea that even when we are faced with challenges, there is always a place where we can find refuge and peace.

Overall, Poetry Mountain is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of the human experience. It is a powerful reminder that even in the midst of struggle and hardship, there is always hope. The imagery and symbolism in the poem are masterfully crafted, and they create a sense of beauty and wonder that is truly inspiring. If you haven't read this poem before, I highly recommend it. It is a true masterpiece of literature that will leave you feeling uplifted and inspired.

Editor Recommended Sites

Flutter News: Flutter news today, the latest packages, widgets and tutorials
AI Books - Machine Learning Books & Generative AI Books: The latest machine learning techniques, tips and tricks. Learn machine learning & Learn generative AI
Gitops: Git operations management
Datalog: Learn Datalog programming for graph reasoning and incremental logic processing.
Compose Music - Best apps for music composition & Compose music online: Learn about the latest music composition apps and music software

Recommended Similar Analysis

Butterfly by D.H. Lawrence analysis
To The Reader At Parting by Walt Whitman analysis
Spring Pools by Robert Frost analysis
Words by Anne Sexton analysis
I Love Thee by Thomas Hood analysis
A Broken Appointment by Thomas Hardy analysis
Concord Hymn by Ralph Waldo Emerson analysis
Ulalume by Edgar Allan Poe analysis
Elegy V: His Picture by John Donne analysis
September Song by Geoffrey Hill analysis