Robert Frost’s narrative poem “A Boy’s Will” and its sequel, “North of Boston,” are often seen as two parts of a larger work. Both are written in Frost’s signature style of pastoral imagery and pointedly simple language, and both contain nuanced themes of small-town angst and rural tranquility.
The poems, published a year apart in 1913 and 1914, reflect a major milestone in Frost’s career: the move from an English-dominated poetic tradition to an American-inflected one. “A Boy’s Will” was Frost’s first collection of poems to be published in the United States, and contains a distinct American quality in both its language and imagery.
The two works tell the stories of two main characters, a young man in “A Boy’s Will” and an older man in “North of Boston”. In the first poem, the young protagonist is portrayed as rebellious and floundering, while in the sequel the older protagonist is depicted as wiser, more reflective, and in some ways more emotionally articulate.
The language used in each poem is starkly different, reflecting the characters’ changing voices and attitudes. In “A Boy’s Will”, the dialogue is often charged and chaotic, with the protagonist struggling to make sense of the world and his place within it. By comparison, in “North of Boston” Frost’s language is quieter and more considered, with a contemplative and mature tone.
The landscape also changes from one poem to the next. In “A Boy’s Will”, Frost uses the rural New England landscape as a backdrop for the protagonist’s story, evoking a feeling of nostalgia for the small-town life. “North of Boston,” on the other hand, looks at the same environment from a different perspective, taking into account the weather, the people, and the consequences of life in a small town.
Ultimately, Robert Frost’s “A Boy’s Will” and “North of Boston” are intimately intertwined, both in their language and in their themes. Both poems grapple with similar questions—what it means to be a part of something larger than oneself, the complexities of rural life, and how relationships can be both a source of strength and a source of pain—but ultimately they illuminate two different perspectives on the same issues, ultimately creating a more complex and nuanced look at the human experience.
The Connection between Nature and Emotion
In addition to being a representation of the growth of Frost’s literary style and the characters’ changing perspectives, “A Boy’s Will” and “North of Boston” have one other common thread: nature. The rural New England landscape is a central feature of both works, and it evokes a very particular emotion in readers.
The two works express different attitudes towards nature. In “A Boy’s Will”, the natural environment is portrayed as a source of comfort and solace for the protagonist. In contrast, in “North of Boston” nature is portrayed as a source of contemplation, but also a source of danger, as evidenced by the protagonist’s musings on potential floods, wild animals, and so forth.
This dichotomy underscores the difference between the two works: in “A Boy’s Will” the protagonist is comforted by nature and finds solace in it, while in “North of Boston” the protagonist finds himself in contemplative introspection. These differing emotions, which Frost conveys expertly through his use of language and imagery, are integral to both works and demonstrate the power of emotions in shaping our understanding of the world around us.
The Power of Nostalgia and Memory
Another connecting thread between these two poems is the power of nostalgia and memory. In both works, Frost’s characters grapple with the past and its influence on their present lives. Through the protagonists’ reflections, Frost is able to explore the complex relationship between nostalgia and identity.
In “A Boy’s Will”, the protagonist’s memories are often chaotic and uncomplimentary, but they also provide comfort and respite from the chaos of his present. In “North of Boston”, memories are portrayed as a source of strength—the protagonist’s recollections of his past give him the courage to confront the difficult realities of his current life.
Furthermore, the power of nostalgia and memory emphasizes the themes of both works: growth and change. In “A Boy’s Will”, nostalgia is a way for the protagonist to find solace in the past, while in “North of Boston” nostalgia is a means to confront the present and move forward. In both cases, nostalgia reflects the characters’ will to grow and evolve, despite the chaotic nature of life.
The Nature of Love and Loss
The theme of love and loss is another common feature of “A Boy’s Will” and “North of Boston”. In “A Boy’s Will”, love is portrayed as a source of confusion, as the protagonist grapples with conflicting emotions towards those he loves. Conversely, in “North of Boston”, love is seen as a source of comfort, as the protagonist reflects on the emotional bonds he has formed with his loved ones.
Frost paints a complicated picture of love in these two works. On the one hand, love is portrayed as a source of confusion and struggle; on the other, it is seen as a source of strength and reassurance. This duality underscores the complexity of human relationships and the emotional turmoil we experience in times of love and loss.
Frost’s central idea in both works is that love can both complicate and reassure; it can be a source of solace and peace of mind, or it can cause pain and confusion. Ultimately, it is this complexity that makes love so difficult to understand and so powerful when we do.
The Loneliness of Life
Although Frost’s works are often interpreted as being merely reflective of the rural New England life, they also deal with the complex issue of loneliness. Whether it is the protagonist of “A Boy’s Will” who is grappling with a confusing array of emotions and an inability to fit in, or the protagonist of “North of Boston” who is struggling to reconcile his past and present, both characters are ultimately facing similar issues of loneliness and isolation.
Thus, while Frost presents two distinct perspectives on the rural New England landscape, both “A Boy’s Will” and “North of Boston” explore the universal feeling of loneliness and the ways in which we can grapple with it. Whether we find solace in past memories, or find strength in our relationships and current situations, Frost’s protagonists ultimately represent a struggle that many of us can relate to.
The Interconnectedness of Life and Nature
The last theme that ties together these two poems is the interconnectedness of life and nature. In both works, Frost’s characters search for some kind of connection that will help them make sense of their position in the world. For example, in “A Boy’s Will” the protagonist finds solace in his observation of the natural world, while in “North of Boston” the protagonist brings the natural world into his own reflections, in an attempt to reconcile his past and present.
In this way, Frost emphasizes the importance of understanding the relationship between nature and humanity. He suggests that we can learn from the natural world, and that we can use it to gain perspective on the rapid changes in our lives. Thus, Frost’s use of nature in these poems reflects his own philosophy about the interconnectedness of humanity and the natural world.
The Contemporary Relevance of Frost’s Poetry
Despite being written over a century ago, Frost’s “A Boy’s Will” and “North of Boston” are still relevant today. Although the characters, settings, and themes may differ from our own, the underlying questions remain the same, which is what makes Frost’s works so remarkable.
Frost’s works remain important not only because they address universal questions, but also because they offer insight into life and nature in rural New England. Through his carefully crafted language and imagery, Frost was able to capture the beauty and complexity of rural life, and offer readers an intimate glimpse into a time and place that is no longer as readily accessible.
Ultimately, Robert Frost’s “A Boy’s Will” and “North of Boston” remain pertinent today because of the insight they offer into human emotions and the universal questions they raise. Whether it is a longing for something greater or a contemplation of our place in the natural world, Frost’s works allow us to explore our inner selves and reflect on our lives in ways that remain overwhelmingly relevant.
