Robert Frost was indeed a married man. He was married to Elinor Miriam White for nearly 40 years, from December 19th of 1915 until her passing in 1938. The two had their first date on September 5th, 1895 and their engagement was announced a year later. They had four children; three sons, and one daughter who died in infancy.
Frost was an immensely private man, and so details of his life with Elinor are scarce. He once said of his wife, “She was the one permanent decision in my life…” and biographers have noted that once Frost had made his commitment to Elinor, it was never wavered. Despite the fact that he was away from home often during this period due to his numerous poetry readings and travel, the two maintained a close friendship and partnership, something all admirers of Frost’s work can be thankful for.
The couple lived in England between 1912 and 1915, while Frost adapted to the locale and continued writing. He achieved success with a series of formal publications in England, and the two returned to their Massachusetts home in 1915. Upon their return, he took a teaching position and continued to write, eventually Publishing one of his most well-known works, A Boy’s Will, in 1913.
Frost dedicated several of his poems to Elinor, including the famous “Fire and Ice” (one of his most beloved poems), as well as “The Silken Tent.” Other works were known to have been inspired by her, such as “Love and a Question” and many of his nature poems featuring close attention to detail.
The two were incredibly close and the words Frost wrote often required this closeness and understanding, lending themselves to his representation of humanity and its struggles. Elinor’s death took an immense toll on Frost and his works reflected much of his grief and loneliness in the years to come. He would eventually remarry a former student, Kay Morrison, in 1939, but his life and works ever after were deeply impacted by the loss of Elinor.
Frost’s Relationship With Elinor
The relationship between Robert Frost and Elinor White was a classic example of two people devoted to one another throughout their marriage. The two reportedly enjoyed a special bond and a shared love of nature and home life that many have likened to a fairytale. Frost’s own poetry often focused on the themes of nature and home, and his love and respect for Elinor were exemplified through his work. Stories of their courtship and marriage offer a window into a relationship that must have been incredibly close.
Frost’s love and dedication to Elinor can also be seen in his letters to her, despite the wide geographic distance between them. Letters written while she was away reveal an incredible closeness between the two and demonstrate their commitment to one another. While the two were always separated during certain times, they were always devoted to one another and to their home and family. Their courtship and marriage were quite special, and any admirer of Frost’s work can be thankful for the strong partnership that was his relationship with Elinor.
One of the most beautiful aspects of Frost and Elinor’s relationship was the support they gave one another as they pursued their dreams. Elinor supported Frost in his dream of becoming a poet and she encouraged him to take risks and to pursue his writing. The two worked together to build a supportive home and family life that allowed both of them to pursue their individual dreams, while never letting their relationship suffer. This is a true testament to their devotion to one another and a great example of a successful and lasting marriage.
Elinor’s Death
The death of Elinor White from heart failure in 1938 marked a turning point in Frost’s life and literary career. It is clear from biographies, letters, and poetry alike that the death of Elinor had a profound effect on Frost, both personally and artistically. Before her passing, Frost dedicated poetry to Elinor, and it is well known that she was his muse and inspiration for some of his most beloved creations.
But after Elinor’s death, Frost’s work took on a darker tone. His poetry was increasingly focused on themes of death, loss, and grief; words that had rarely, if ever, appeared in his earlier works. Many biographers and literary critics have noted the profound impact frost’s grief had on him, and this depression is thought to have exacerbated an objective distance between himself and his work.
The passing of Elinor White also marked a period in Frost’s life where he was seen as more of a public figure. He went on tour and read poetry to people around the country, a trend that had begun in late twenties and thirties, but was now more popular than ever due to Frost’s ever increasing reputation. This period of life was more often kept private, though it profoundly affected Frost in the years to come.
Frost eventually remarried a former student, Kay Morrison, in 1939, and some argue that she was able to bring Frost out of his deep depression. Whatever could be said of his second marriage, it cannot deny the fact that Frost’s career and life were profoundly impacted by the passing of Elinor White, the woman he had been married to for over forty years.
Frost and Elinor’s Relationship After Death
Despite the sadness of Elinor’s death, Frost’s relationship with her remained incredibly strong in the years that followed. In his later poetry, Frost references his wife often, including in his own memorial poem for her, “The Red-Tail Hawk.” Frost was often said to carry Elinor’s picture with him in his pocket, and biographers have suggested that Frost’s later works were, in part, an attempt to express his grief and love for her after her death.
In some ways, Frost’s grief and devotion to Elinor led to his later successes. He wrote many poems dedicated to her memory and also wrote several masterpieces inspired by her. He continued to grow in reputation, and his name began to be known around the world. While his works were readily available, much of his fame was rooted in the period of mourning he had dedicated to her memory.
Frost’s personal dedication to Elinor White was one of the most inspiring things about him as a poet and a person. His relationship with her forms the bedrock of his much of his great work and his tremendous reputation as a poet. From his heartbreaking memorial poem for her to his dedication of work after her death, Frost’s dedication to Elinor was never forgotten.
The Legacy of Robert and Elinor Frost’s Marriage
The life and works of Robert Frost are filled with beautiful and heartfelt references to his beloved wife, Elinor White. The length of their marriage was likely the root of their profound connection and lasting devotion to one another. The stories and poetry written about their relationship illustrate the power of love and the strength of their bond.
The marriage of Robert and Elinor Frost also serves as an example of what strong and lasting relationships can look like. From their devotion to one another to their commitment to maintaining a supportive home and stable family life, the two were a prime example of what it means to be in a committed and devoted relationship.
The legacy of Robert Frost and Elinor White’s marriage is one of shared dreams, mutual respect, and unparalleled support. Their relationship was a beautiful story of love and commitment, and it serves as a reminder of what is possible when two people put their love for one another first. The world has been left with a wealth of poetry and literature from Robert Frost, and from it, beautiful insights into the marriage that started it all.
Symbolism Of Robert and Elinor’s Marriage
The symbolism of Robert and Elinor’s marriage was not lost on Frost’s admirers. In their marriage, Frost demonstrated a commitment to Elinor and to their home and family that was uncommon at the time. This commitment and love was immortalized in his work, and it is thought to symbolize what it means to truly love someone.
The two were an example of how two people could share their individual dreams, while also supporting one another’s pursuits. Their dedication to one another, despite the geographic and literal distances they had to cover in the course of their marriage, is an ultimately inspiring example of what dedication looks like.
Their marriage also symbolizes a home life that is built on respect, trust, and genuine love. Frost’s work often reflects the fact that he and Elinor had created a safe and secure environment for their family. It was also a space of creativity and inspiration, as Frost often drew from his own relationship with Elinor when writing his poetry.
Frost’s work was often a reflection of his admiration for Elinor and of their marriage. His symbolism for a committed and loving relationship is still evident today in his work, but it stands as a testament to the power of their love that was so strong and so admired. It is no wonder that Robert Frost is still hailed as one of the greats to this day, as his passion and devotion to Elinor is forever immortalized in his literature.
Impact of Robert and Elinor’s Marriage
The marriage of Robert and Elinor Frost had an incredibly positive impact on Frost’s life and works. Without Elinor, Frost may never have become the literary giant we know and admire today. Elinor provided him the encouragement and support he needed to pursue his dream of becoming a poet, and their relationship was the cornerstone of much of his poetry.
The partnership between Robert and Elinor is an example of how a successful relationship and marriage looks like. Their marriage provided Frost with both an emotional and creative support system, something he was likely not able to find in any other relationships. Frost was likely able to create masterpieces due to the support of Elinor, something that has been sorely lacking in many of today’s relationships and marriages.
Their marriage and relationship also provides us with an example of how to love and how to be loved. Frost was devoted to Elinor and expressed it through his writing. We can learn from Robert and Elinor’s relationship that lasting relationships can be based on mutual respect, dedication, and love.
The marriage of Robert and Elinor Frost is an inspirational example of the beauty of a successful relationship. While much of Frost’s most cherished work was likely inspired by his grief after Elinor’s death, it is clear that the love and partnership was an integral part of Frost’s works. Robert and Elinor‘s marriage is a true testament to the profound impact that a relationship and marriage can have.
