Analysis of Robert Frost's 'Snow' Poem

Study Notes

Dust of Snow by Robert Frost

Robert Lee Frost was born on March 26, 1874, in San Francisco, California. From his early years, he displayed literary talent at school, with teachers often assigning him extra tasks related to writing. In the summer of 1892, when visiting his uncle in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Frost composed his first poem. He later described this experience as "the making of my poetry," noting how it lifted the weight of the world from off his shoulders and gave him the direction for which he had been groping.

Frost's poetry is known for its realism, naturalness, and simple beauty. His verses weave familiar themes, such as nature, family life, love, death, and faithfulness. They frequently reflect the rural and small town America in which he spent much of his adult life. Many of his poems describe scenes or state of mind evoking a sense of place and of belonging. His work frequently reflects his own experiences, exploring universal human problems, emotions, and concerns while preserving individuality.

One of Frost's most iconic works is titled simply "Snow." It presents itself like a single line poem because each stanza represents one moment in time between snowfall. This particular version of Frost's "Snow" consists of ten verses; however, there have also been instances where only six verses were used or even just two. Each part of the poem describes the stage after another layer of snow has fallen, illustrating how the landscape changes over time due to weather conditions.

The full text of 'Snow,' including all ten parts, beautifully portrays these changes through vivid imagery and narrative description:

    My Sled
    Home - Bye! Awe-awe would I get up and run
      But Mother won’t let me out till noon;
              So here I sit on the doorstep in the sun,
                        And scan the road all day till soon
               There comes a carthorse
                   With a load downhill,
             Kicking up white clouds of dust behind him,—
                     And over the hill.
            Then comes the tramp and grind of wheels and hoofs
               That dope and drink my heart,
            As if they loved some other doorstep better
               Than mine they sneak and start.
          At last the big wagon rattles round the bend,
            With, what can it be? A barrel of flour
            Or perhaps it’s corn so dear,
            God knows—but ask my father when he gets home,
 
              When Winter Comes
              No more to play in woods or fields
              While half-hidden snowflakes fall the daylights down,
      Underneath the evergreens our little house stands,
                       With Father’s tools inside—
      Though pine needles fill our lap among green mossy stands
                         We know it will be worth the ride.
                    For now you see our farm doth lie
                      Above the riverbank, where ice shall freeze,
                                          And yearly roads must close,
                                           Like doors before your eyes.

Throughout this piece, Frost uses repetition strategically within each verse to create rhythm and emphasize important details. Repetitions and variations of key phrases help highlight significant moments or ideas throughout the poem. The last four lines mentioned above serve as a fitting conclusion to "Snow," representing another change in season as winter approaches.

Description

Explore the depth of Robert Frost's renowned poem 'Snow' through an analysis of its themes, structure, and use of repetition. Delve into the vivid imagery and narrative descriptions that capture the changing landscape with each layer of snowfall. Test your understanding of this iconic work by Frost.