Robert Frost, a renowned American poet, was born on March 26, 1874. He had eight siblings, although he was the only surviving child from his father’s first marriage and the eldest of his mother’s five surviving children. All of his siblings had the same father and mother. Two of his siblings, Jeanie and William Prescott Frost Jr., predeceased him, as did his youngest sister, Irma Frost, who died in infancy. Two additional siblings, Everett and Isabelle, died in their early 20s.
Frost’s brother customarily resided with their mother in Lawrence, Massachusetts, while their sister stayed with their father in California. Frost and his sister, Jeanie, were close to one another, and Jeanie was known to be the primary caretaker of their father. She died when Frost was 14 and left an inkling of tragedy in his works. As Frost’s brother, Everett, was just a few years older, they too had a close bond.
Frost’s other siblings were scattered around the country and did not share the same relationship as he and Everett had. His brother, William Prescott, was a soldier in the United States Army and died in a West Virginia accident in 1898. His sister, Isabelle, died from brain fever in 1908. Despite growing up apart, Robert and his siblings had a strong bond with one another, evident from the sorrow and woe he felt in the absence of his siblings after their deaths.
Robert Frost was the fourth-born child and the eldest son of his parents, William Frost, Jr., and Isabelle Moodie. He had three older sisters: Jeanie, who was the oldest, followed by Carol, and then Irma, who passed away soon after she was born. He also had four younger siblings: Everett, William Prescott, Isabelle and Herman. All of his siblings were born to the same father and mother.
Though none of his siblings ever carried on their father’s literary legacy, the family felt highly connected to each other, especially Everett and Robert. All five of Robert Frost’s surviving siblings were born in California, but the two older boys were sent east to live with their mother while the other three stayed with their father.
Time Spent With Siblings
Although Robert Frost only managed to spend a short period of time with Jeanie, Carol and Everett before his father’s death, he cherished their bond. Frost’s immortal lines – “the woods are lovely, dark, and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep” – was inspired by the longing he felt for his siblings when he was away from them. He also often referred to his maternal grandmother, who had deeply influenced him when he was young.
During his adoloscence and young adulthood, Frost spent quite a few summers with his siblings in San Francisco, which was where his father ran his thriving eponymous business. While there, he and his siblings would play board games and read books together, such as “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”. While not all of his siblings were directly involved in helping to shape the great poet’s style, their familial bond shaped the warmth, understanding, and compassion which filled his works.
Frost also wrote of brother Everett in his book, “Memories of a Delayed Half Hour With Dr. Durant,” in which Frost commemorated his fond memories and yearning for his brother Everett. Their bond is further evidenced by Frost’s ongoing involvement after Everett’s death in 1908, for which he wrote many poems reflecting the tragedy of losing his brother.
The lasting impact of his siblings and their collective presence is evident in many of his works, although it is not always clear whether these references are in fact of them or not. Nonetheless, it is evident that Robert Frost had strong connections with his siblings throughout his lifetime and that the death of William and Everett had a great impact on him.
Roles of Siblings in Robert Frost’s Life
Robert Frost’s siblings were an integral part of his life, both during childhood and throughout adulthood. His siblings, particularly Jeanie and Everett, were a source of emotional support for Frost. While studying at Harvard, Frost was also greatly encouraged by his brother Everett and was inspired by his relentlessly productive lifestyle. Everett, along with his other siblings, also kept Frost informed about the outside world and its changes.
Frost’s siblings served as his support system throughout his life. He often reflected back to his loved ones for motivation and for positive feedback. Frost’s brothers and sisters, especially Everett and Jeanie, shared the same enthusiasm for literature and helped him pursue his literary career. They served as a great source of encouragement, support and reassurance that enabled Frost to succeed in his life.
Their support helped him remain strong throughout his life despite numerous obstacles that came along Frost’s way. His siblings also provided him with resources, such as books, which helped him stay informed and encouraged him mentally and spiritually.
On top of that, Frost’s siblings influenced his style and themes in many of his works. Their unique personalities and sentiments reflected in his works and he often combined elements of his family experiences into his poems. The tragedies Frost encountered in his life and several of his works were inspired by the struggles his siblings endured, providing insight into their strong bond.
Impact on Robert Frost’s Poetic Legacy
Frost’s works, particularly “Death of a Hired Man,” which tells the story of Frost’s brother William, reveal the influence of his siblings’ lives on his own. His poems often capture the sadness he felt in the absence of his siblings after their deaths, with the deeply personal tone of his works conveying Frost’s grief and sorrow. In much the same way, Frost’s relationship with his siblings served as the backdrop for his works and helped to hone his unique style.
The emotional connection between Frost and his siblings, as reflected in his works, has translated into his overall legacy. Frost’s siblings were an integral part of his life and his works, providing him with strength and comfort, even when they were apart. Even after their untimely deaths, Frost kept their memory alive through his works. As a result, Frost’s legacy is even deeper and richer because of this connection to his siblings.
Influence of Robert Frost’s Siblings on His Work
Though Frost wrote about a variety of themes, his work often echoed the events, thoughts and experiences of his siblings. These influences are found in many of his early works, such as in “The Valley of the Elko,” where Frost was influenced by his sister Carol and Everett’s turbulent relationship with their father. Similarly, Frost’s poem “Home Burial” contains elements of his brother William’s death and the pain his loved ones experienced following the tragedy.
Though Frost is most well-known for his nature poetry, his works also delved into the depths of tragedy, such as the death of a child, a failed marriage, a lost sibling, and a life-defining experience abroad. These touching topics were often one way of Frost’s connecting with his siblings and his longing for their friendship, even when they were separated.
Frost wrote about his siblings in many of his works and his direct experiences with his siblings were both a challenge and a source of inspiration for his writing. In addition to their influence on his work, Frost’s siblings also served as a means of building a strong bond between the generations of Frost’s family, proving to be an irreplaceable source of comfort and strength.
Influence of Siblings on Robert Frost’s Life After Loss
After the loss of his brother William and his sister Isabelle, Frost was deeply impacted by their deaths. As he was the eldest of the children, Frost felt an obligation to keep the family together and provide mental and emotional support to his remaining siblings. Although his siblings were miles apart, they maintained a strong connection and Frost wrote many poems to express his missing of them.
The pain of losing his siblings cultivated a heightened sense of loss in Robert Frost. He was also struck by the fragility and brevity of life and he often reflected back to the memories of his siblings in his later years. Despite the tragedy, Frost was strong and resilient, and the support of his siblings enabled him to carry on.
The bond between Robert Frost and his siblings was substantial and served as the basis for many of his works. As a poet, Frost was greatly influenced by his siblings and their experiences, providing insight into the tragedy of life, the importance of family, and the strength of friendship. They provided him with vital emotional and mental support and encouraged him to pursue his literary goals. The strong bond his siblings had with him is evident in his works, and will forever remain a pivotal part of his legacy.
