Skip to main content

What is "Snowflake" by Robert Frost about?

Robert Frost did not write a poem called "Snowflake." Since you are posting the question under "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," you evidently meant this poem, which does speak about snowflakes. In the poem, a man and his horse have paused in their journey next to a frozen lake "to watch [the] woods fill up with snow." The scene is very quiet except for the shaking of the horse's harness bells and the "sweep of easy wind and downy flake." The man contemplates the peaceful scene as he realizes that he has "promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep."

Like many of Frost's poems, this poem has a literal meaning related to nature and a deeper metaphysical meaning that deals with truths about life and existence. The literal meaning is clear enough: A man stops for a moment on his journey to enjoy a beautiful and peaceful winter landscape. The deeper meaning is open to interpretation. Many have suggested that the poem speaks of a person's wish to die or even commit suicide--the idea being that the woods, described as "lovely, dark and deep," represent death and the man's attraction to them shows he wants to die. He knows, however, he has "miles to go before I sleep," meaning, much longer to live before he can die.


Others see the woods merely as a temporary escape from the demands of life, the responsibilities that are weighing the man down and that he must fulfill before he can "sleep," or rest from his duties. As much as the man would like to keep avoiding what he has to do, the call of the commitment he has made to others does not allow him to remain idle for very long. Another idea is to view the woods as any distraction, such as a siren song, that would lure one away from the path he is meant to take in life. 


Whatever the specific interpretation one prefers, the meaning is that if a person is to keep his promises, he must persevere despite distractions and temptations.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...

What gift did Della buy for Jim and why in "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry?

Della buys Jim a watch fob because his watch is his most prized possession. Della and Jim Young do not have much money. Despite this, Della really wants to buy Jim a good Christmas present. She is even willing to sell her hair to get him a nice gift. This is ironic because we learn Della and Jim both highly prize her hair. Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which... Della buys Jim a watch fob because his watch is his most prized possession. Della and Jim Young do not have much money. Despite this, Della really wants to buy Jim a good Christmas present. She is even willing to sell her hair to get him a nice gift. This is ironic because we learn Della and Jim both highly prize her hair. Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which they both took a mighty pride. One was Jim's gold watch that had been his father's and his grandfather's. The other was Della's hair.  Della is still willing to sell her hair so she can b...

Explain and discuss how the definitions of freedom change for the nation, for the freedmen and for southern whites after the Civil War.

After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to... After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to belong to without being ordered to attend religious services (or not to attend) by their mast...