Section #4 The Poetry of Robert Frost
Robert Frost was a very traditional writer. Despite the fact that he followed the “rules” of traditional poetry closely, he still manages to produce some of the most beautiful poems. Robert Frost wrote mostly in traditional 4-line stanzas. Each stanza presents thoughts, feelings and experiences in sequence. Below are two of Frost’s most famous poems.
Stopping By the Woods on a Snowy Evening The Road Not Taken
Whose woods are these I think I know. Two roads diverged in yellow wood,
His house is in the village though; And sorry I could not travel both
He will not see me stopping here And be one traveler, long I stood
To watch his woods fill up with snow. And looked down one as far I could
To where it bent in undergrowth.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near Then took the other, as just as fair,
Between the woods and frozen lake And having perhaps the better claim,
The darkest evening of the year. Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
He gives his harness bells a shake Had worn them really about the same.
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep And both that morning equally lay
Of easy wind and downy flake. In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
The woods are lovely, dark and deep, Yet knowing how the way leads on to way,
But I have promises to keep, I doubted if I should ever come back.
And miles to go before I sleep.
And miles to go before I sleep. I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Your task for today is to create a poem in the style of Robert Frost, a traditional 4 or 5 line stanza that tells the reader a story. Your poem must be at least 4 stanzas long.
Questions for Robert Frost Poems
Stopping By the Woods on a Snowy Evening
1. What is the rhyme scheme of this poem?
2. How many stanzas does it have?
3. What do you think this poem is about?
The Road Not Taken
1. What is the rhyme scheme of this poem?
2. How many stanzas does it have?
3. What does Frost mean by “Yet knowing how the way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back.”
4. What do you think is the message of this poem?