Robert Frost’s 1914 poem “A Considerable Speck” is a remarkable work of modern poetics as it uses illustrative language and an impressive cadence to create an atmosphere of suspense. It describes a small speck, a spider-like creature, that the narrator is pondering upon. The poem has a clever structure, with three stanzas of four lines each, each line consisting of between nine and twelve syllables.
The poem begins with the narrator interested in the speck, yet feeling an apprehension of the unknown, “I found a thing the other day/In a long juniper leaf trailed”. Frost, through these few words, alludes to a mysterious entity, as the narrator remarks upon the various activities of the small creature, “It moved, but not with such force/As made a sound of two my thought”.
The tone becomes grim in the second stanza as the narrator moves from observation to speculation and even threats. He is intensely curious about the speck, but also unnerved, “The thing I found of such a size/That I could play with it at ease”. Frost invites us to explore the narrator’s inner thoughts, which are then disturbed as he questions whether the speck is innocuous or not, “And yet I thought of possible powers/In such a speck that was abroad”.
The tension increases in the final stanza which has a threatening atmosphere as the narrator doubts the veracity of the speck, “I was not moved to try it more/But mused upon it with the stroke/Of an invulnerable host”. He then casts aside his apprehensive thoughts and returns to his natural state, “Till I began to think it a tithe/I had to pay for having seen/A considerable speck, just flown/From somewhere beyond my ken.”
Power of Nature
The small but formidable speck of “A Considerable Speck” evokes the power of nature and its ability to instill awe and wonder. Frost contrasts the insignificance of the speck with its mysterious nature, symbolising the grandeur of the natural world. The speaker traverses his own inner thoughts, exploring his fear and curiosity and eventually accepting the speck as a reminder of the power and beauty of nature.
The tone of the poem changes continually as Frost’s skill as an author is displayed. The narrator moves from curiosity to dread to reverence. He plays with the metaphor of the small speck, symbolising the intricate power of nature, which cannot be understood by mere mortals. Frost conveys this sentiment by making the narrator concede to the speck “just flown/From somewhere beyond my ken.”
It is remarkable how, in just a few words, Frost is able to evoke a powerful image of the speaker’s emotions and engage the reader’s imagination. By using a combination of vivid imagery, emotive language and natural metaphors, “A Considerable Speck” shows Frost at his poetic best, engaging with a topic that is often overlooked, but no less significant.
Surprising Realism
One of the most striking features of “A Considerable Speck” is its realism, as Frost explores the universal themes of fear, curiosity and the unknown. The narrator is initially cautious but is soon drawn into a state of awe by the mysterious speck. Frost provides a complex landscape of emotions as the narrator moves from fear to reverence, highlighting both the fragility and power of the natural world.
The diction used by Frost is surprisingly simple but effective. He avoids overly-complex metaphors and instead uses simple imagery to describe the speck and its motion. By using these techniques, Frost invites the reader to experience the same journey as the narrator and encourages us to focus on the poem’s important themes.
The use of language such as “tithe” in the final stanza and “invulnerable host” in the third, showcases Frost’s impressive command of the English language. This language and the imagery used, allows the reader to believe the narrative and immerse themselves within it.
The combination of concrete language and carefully crafted metaphors, works to draw out the deeper meaning of the poem– the power of nature. Frost’s metaphors and images offer us a vision of a tangible and re-creatable world. Not only do they transport us to another place, but offer us a sense of familiarity and understanding of nature.
Implied Reflection
Frost’s careful use of imagery and symbolism in “A Considerable Speck” allows for an implicit sense of reflection upon the natural world. While the poem focusses on a particular event, Frost implies an underlying meaning of coming to terms with our place in the universe.
Through his use of the spider like creature as a metaphor for nature, Frost suggests that the narrator comes to see the speck as a representation of destruction and beauty at the same time. The narrator is awestruck by the creature’s power and grace, yet is also wary of its potential to cause harm.
The poem’s resolution allows us to meditate on the larger issue of our relationship with the natural world. The narrator concludes that the speck is something which cannot be rationalised, “just flown/From somewhere beyond my ken”, and in understanding this, finds respect and admiration for something that cannot be understood.
The poem’s climax allows the reader to draw their own conclusions on the power of nature and its ability to instil both fear and appreciation. This is a key theme as we begin to examine our own place in the universe and how we interact with the natural world.
Robert Frost’s Genius
In “A Considerable Speck” Frost combines subtle symbolism, vivid imagery and contemplative language to facilitate a complex journey of emotions. The poem is a remarkable marriage of technical skill and poetic brilliance, as Frost seamlessly crafts a powerful exploration of nature’s power.
Frost’s diction is simple yet incredibly powerful, allowing the reader to become entranced in his narrative. His choice of language keeps the poem’s structure lucid, but ensures that it has the potential to provoke reflection and thought.
The poem forces us to confront our own perceptions of the natural world and acknowledge that, despite our best efforts, some things remain beyond our understanding. “A Considerable Speck” is a testament to Frost’s exceptional skill as a poet and outlines his impressive understanding of the complex relationship between humans and nature.
Inspiration for Contemporary Poetry
The technical accomplishment of “A Considerable Speck” is sure to have inspired countless generations of poets, and is still relevant in the present day. Through its insightful exploration of the themes of fear and curiosity, the poem manages to encapsulate the power of nature and the larger implications of human existence.
The poem is thus an enduring work of poetic genius and its language and imagery remain relevant in contemporary poetry. Through its use of symbolism and irony, Frost manages to conjure a sense of mystery that still enthrals modern readers.
The poem’s thoughtful exploration of the fragility and power of the natural world, brings about a feeling of awe and appreciation that continues to draw countless readers to Frost’s work. “A Considerable Speck” is a remarkable example of the power of words and an enduring testament to the genius of Robert Frost.
