Frost Context Flashcards
(26 cards)
Going for water context-hyla brook
This poem describes Hyla Brook, a brook on Frost’s farm in New Hampshire.
Frost draws upon the joy he felt in the rural environment he often occupied, and distils it into a child-like journey of wonder into the natural landscape.
Going for water context pt 2-children
At this time, Frost had 4 young children and was perhaps influenced by watching his children grow up and enjoy life on their farm.
The critic John Robert Doyle, Jr. called it “a poem of almost inaudible young love”.
Going for water context pt 3-elinor
Due to the somewhat strained nature of Frost’s marriage to his wife, Elinor, this early poem (published in A Boy’s Will in 1913) could be written as a reminder of their love for one another.
After apple-picking context-feelings
This is also allegorical poem that could describe his feelings about poetry. This poem was composed in 1913, immediately after his first book of poetry (A Boy’s Will) was published after years of struggle and gaining little favourable notice.
After apple-picking context pt 2-future
This poem may be a response to that disappointment, an expression of his uncertainty about his future as a poet. The meaning of the poem could be applied to Frost and poetry- about an endeavour which the participant loves and enjoys but finds exhausting due to the loving effort required.
For once then something context-struggles
This poem can be linked to Frost’s struggles as a poet and farmer at the beginning of both endeavours.
For once then something context pt 2-human search
This poem is about the human search for truth, purpose and the deeper meanings of life. The speaker expresses their frustration in failing thus far, but is more satisfied by the end as there has been a momentary glimpse at what he is searching for.
For once then something context pt 3-quote
“Solitude for reflection is an essential ingredient in self-development. I think a person has to be withdrawn into himself to gather inspiration so that he is somebody when he comes out again among folks–when he “comes to market’ with himself. He learns that he’s got to be almost wastefully alone.” - Robert Frost
Gathering leaves context-owning
This poem draws upon Frost’s experience of owning and running farms in New Hampshire and Vermont.
Gathering leaves context pt 2-farm fail
With Frost’s first farm failing and his extensive work in others, he possessed intimate knowledge of the monotonous and difficult tasks required in farming life and he consistently drew upon this for his poetry.
Gathering leaves context pt 3-quote
“To a large extent the terrain of my poetry is the Derry landscape, the Derry farm…There was something about the experience of Derry which stayed in my mind, and was tapped for poetry in the years that came after - Robert Frost.
Frost own context-birth
Born in 1874 in San Francisco, but moved to New England at the age of 11 in 1855 when his father died of tuberculosis.
Frost own context pt 2-marriage
In 1895, Frost married his former schoolmate Elinor White at Harvard and they eventually had 6 children.
Frost own context pt 3-leave
Despite being a gifted academic and finding success in academia, Frost had to leave Harvard before obtaining a degree in order to support his growing family.
Frost own context pt 4-derry
When his grandfather died in 1901, he left Frost the family farm in Derry, New Hampshire. This, along with a teaching job, provided some financial security for the family.
Frost own context pt 5-evening
Frost would have written poems in the evening, after long hours of work during the day. His literary ambitions were growing at the time, though he was not yet recognised as a serious poet.
Frost own context pt 6-failed
Despite Frost’s best efforts, the farm failed. In 1912, he sold the farm and moved to England with his wife and 4 small children. He began making the acquaintance of famous poets, such as Edward Thomas, and achieved literary success when he published A Boy’s Will (1913) and North of Boston (1914).
Frost own context pt 7-America
He returned to America, and went on to enjoy a life of teaching, lecturing, writing and farming on in New Hampshire in 1915 and Vermont from 1920 onwards.
Frost own context pt 8-family life
However, his family life was strained by a series of tragedies. His first child (Elliott) died of cholera at age 3. Another child (Elinor) died two days after her birth.
Frost own context pt 9-children again
Out of the four children who lived into adulthood, Marjorie died of childbed fever at the age of 29 and his son Carol committed suicide at age 38. Another daughter, Irma, had to be institutionalised for mental illness, as did Frost’s sister Jeanie.
Out of his six children, Frost outlived all but two.
Frost own context pt 10-literary success
Despite his literary success, Frost’s own depression filled him with self-doubt about his skill as a poet (despite winning several Pulitzer Prizes), and he became obsessed with a desire to be awarded a Nobel Prize for Literature as justification for his talent.
Frost own context pt 11-countryside
In his writing, Frost’s imagination was most richly fed by the New England countryside. He chose to write in a language that was close to and inspired by ordinary, everyday speech.
Frost own context pt 12-new England
He made New England his home and wrote about ordinary people living ordinary lives.
Frost own context pt 13–land
Frost is very much concerned with the environment and with the idea of living close to the land; he rarely sets his poems in cities or writes about urban culture or values.
