Robert Frost’s ‘A Prayer in Spring’ is, on the surface, a simple poem that captures the feelings of joy, hope and prayer that come with the arrival of spring. On a deeper level, however, it tells a larger story of the interplay between man, nature and god. By analyzing the poem’s text, we can gain an in-depth understanding of the ways in which Frost conveys this message.
The poem opens with ‘Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers to-day’, which serves to establish the theme of the poem. Frost celebrates the promise of renewal that accompanies the arrival of spring, which is further reinforced by his use of the word ‘to-day’. It conveys a sense of immediacy and imparts a sense of urgency to the poem’s message. Additionally, the use of the word ‘pleasure’ speaks to the joy that the speaker feels in seeing the flowers bloom.
In the second stanza, Frost further develops this idea of joy and hope. He writes that ‘And give us not to think so far ahead / As bring us, round the winter’s bend’. This suggests that instead of worrying about the future, the speaker chooses to embrace and enjoy the present, which is signified by the arrival of spring. This idea is reinforced by the use of the phrase ‘winter’s bend’, which implies that the future may take unexpected turns and that such turns should not be dwelt upon.
The third stanza reflects the speaker’s gratitude for the present. Frost writes ‘But keep us eager for the future’s goal’, which suggests that although one should be thankful for the present moment, one should still strive for a greater future. This is an important message, as it implies that one should be mindful of the importance of striving for the future. Frost further accentuates this idea by writing that ‘Be thou, oh God, our earthly joys’. This phrase conveys the idea that god is a source of joy, which further reinforces the idea that one should be grateful for the present and look towards the future.
The fourth stanza brings to mind a moment of prayer. Frost writes ‘Keep thou our lives from stain of sin, / That we may check when most we fail, / The pardon that we asking win’. This suggests that even when the speaker fails, he still prays for forgiveness and renewal. This conveys an important message about the importance of prayer, even in times of hardship. Additionally, it implies that the speaker is comfortable in reaching out to a higher power for support, which is an important point to take from the poem.
The Symbolism Of Nature
Frost’s use of nature as a symbol helps to convey the poem’s overall message. He writes ‘And give us health and give to us, dear God, / The sacred sight of thy personal love’. This suggests that nature serves as a reminder of god’s presence, which is an important concept in the poem. Additionally, it implies that nature and god are intertwined, and that one should celebrate god’s love through nature and the renewal that comes with springtime.
Frost further uses nature to convey the idea of change and renewal. He writes that ‘Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white, / Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night’. This speaks to the idea that nature changes and evolves over time, as evidenced by the white orchards which are associated with the day, but become associated with ghosts at night. This speaks to the idea of impermanence, and encourages the reader to recognize the beauty of change.
The fifth stanza is a plea for mercy and compassion. Frost writes ‘Oh, give us mercy, for we know / What fearful paths we tread’. This suggests that the speaker is conscious of his own human frailty and that he is cognizant of his own failings. This is an important point, as it speaks to the idea that one should strive for compassion and understanding, even in the face of adversity.
The poem concludes with a call for gratitude. Frost writes ‘Oh, guard our souls, for we are man, / Oh, guide our hearts and our life’s plan’. This serves to remind the reader that life is a journey and that one should be grateful for it. Additionally, it speaks to the idea that one should follow their inner compass and strive for a more meaningful life.
Themes Of Renewal and Change
The poem’s overarching theme is one of renewal and change. Frost conveys this theme through his use of nature as a symbol and through his discussion of the power of prayer and gratitude. By exploring these themes, Frost encourages the reader to recognize the idea that life is constantly in flux, and that one should strive to embrace the changes that life brings, rather than bemoan them. Additionally, he conveys the idea that god is a source of joy, and that one should strive for renewal and gratitude in their lives.
The idea of renewal is further explored in the poem’s second and fifth stanzas. Frost writes that ‘And give us not to think so far ahead / As bring us, round the winter’s bend’, and that ‘Oh, give us mercy, for we know / What fearful paths we tread’. These lines suggest that although one should be mindful of the future and the challenges that it may bring, one should still strive to live in the present and celebrate the renewal that each day brings.
The idea of change is explored in Frost’s fourth stanza. He writes that ‘Keep thou our lives from stain of sin, / That we may check when most we fail’. This suggests that even in moments of failure, one should strive to be mindful of their mistakes and focus on the lessons to be learned. This speaks to the importance of being open to the idea of change and growth, and of embracing mistakes instead of dwelling on them.
Conclusion Of The Robert Frost’s Poem
Frost’s ‘A Prayer in Spring’ is an incredibly poignant poem that speaks to the idea of renewal and change. Through his use of symbols and language, Frost encourages the reader to recognize the importance of prayer, gratitude, and the celebration of the present moment. Additionally, he speaks to the idea of god’s love and its importance in one’s life. Ultimately, Frost’s poem speaks to the idea that life is ever-changing and we should strive to embrace it with open hearts.
The Impact Of The Poem
It is clear that ‘A Prayer in Spring’ is an immensely powerful poem with a simple but significant message. Frost’s words remind the reader of the importance of change and renewal, and of being grateful for the moments that one has. This is an important point, as it speaks to the idea that even in times of difficulty and hardship, one can still recognize and appreciate the beauty of the present. This is a powerful lesson and one that is worthy of consideration.
The poem’s message is further accentuated by Frost’s use of language and symbolism. Through his descriptions of nature and of prayer, Frost conveys the idea that one’s connection to god can be a source of solace and renewal. This is an important point, as it reinforces the idea that god is a force of strength, love and healing in one’s life.
The Literary Devices Used In The Poem
Frost’s ‘A Prayer in Spring’ is a work of art, and as such, incorporates numerous literary devices. One of the most notable devices is personification, which is used to give inanimate objects a human quality. This is especially evident in the lines ‘Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white, / Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night’. Here, Frost personifies the orchard, using metaphors to speak to its changing nature over time.
Frost also utilizes repetition for emphasis. He repeats the phrase ‘Oh, give us’ throughout the poem, which serves to give the poem a sense of urgency and convey the speaker’s desire for the things that he is asking for. Additionally, he repeats the phrase ‘we know’ in the fifth stanza, which serves to emphasize the speaker’s humility and recognition of his own failings.
Frost also uses rhythm and rhyme as a means of conveying his message. The poem follows a rhythmic pattern of iambs, which creates a sense of harmony and flow. Additionally, the poem’s rhyme scheme of ABAB reinforces the idea of renewal and change, as Frost uses the same rhyming words in both stanzas to emphasize the poem’s overall message.
Analysis Of The Poem
Frost’s ‘A Prayer in Spring’ is, at its core, an exploration of the power of renewal and change. Through his use of symbols, language, and literary devices, Frost encourages the reader to recognize the importance of prayer, gratitude, and the celebration of the present moment. Additionally, he speaks to the idea that god is a source of love and healing, and that one should strive for renewal and understanding in life. This is an important message, and it is one that is worthy of contemplation and exploration.
Ultimately, Frost’s ‘A Prayer in Spring’ is a beautiful and powerful poem. Through its simple yet powerful imagery and language, Frost captures the joy and hope that comes with the arrival of spring. Additionally, he conveys the importance of prayer and of appreciating the moments that one has. This is an important message, and one that can be of immense value to those who take the time to appreciate it.
