Mending Wall is a famous poem written by Robert Frost in 1914. It is a narrative poem about two neighbouring farmers discussing the mending of a wall that separates their farms. The poem contains many images and metaphors which work together to create a strong sense of atmosphere and allude to the speaker’s underlying feelings about the wall. The speaker expresses his dislike for the wall, though he is willing to take part in the ritual of mending it every year. Frost’s poetry offers an insight into the human experience and this poem is no different, providing an opportunity to examine how walls and boundaries can affect our lives.
The poem’s title, ‘Mending Wall’, could have multiple interpretations. On the most basic level it could refer to the practical purpose of the wall, which is to divide or protect the land that both farmers own. On a deeper symbolic level, the wall could be seen as a figurative barrier between the neighbours, or a metaphor for different types of boundaries that people create in our lives. The idea of ‘mending’ suggests repair and compromise, which highlights the conflict between the speaker’s dislike of the wall and his willingness to accept it.
The poem is composed of three Stanzas, each containing four lines. The first and third Stanzas begin and end with the same line, “Something there is that doesn’t love a wall”. This line works in two ways – implying both an external force and an internal desire. It suggests that something else is at work beyond the farmers or their will, and that this has an effect on both of them. This could also be interpreted as a commentary on our own choices and action in life, being shaped by forces beyond our control. The poem’s rhythm and meter add to its sense of melancholy, creating a contemplative mood.
The notion of ‘neighbours’ is central to the poem and the two farmers serve to represent the broader idea of society. The unspoken connection between the men is tangible and suggests an underlying bond between them, despite their differences. On a more symbolic level, Frost presents the men as two sides of the same coin – united through their shared belief in the wall’s necessity. This serves as a metaphor for our need for both order and freedom in life, and how this often leads to tension between competing interests.
The poem’s famous ending brings the poem full circle, with the speaker still questioning the wall’s purpose. He notes that walls serve no real purpose, except to generate ‘mistrust’; a universal truth to which all can relate. Despite our differences and barriers, both literal and figurative, there is always something that unites us in our humanity. Robert Frost’s poem explores this notion through its imagery, symbolism, and powerful ending, allowing readers to reflect on what lies beneath our differences.
The Role of Nature
Nature plays an important role in Mending Wall and is used as a metaphor for life’s unpredictability. The poem highlights the contrast between the wall and the natural elements, all of which constantly change and move, never staying the same. Frost emphasises this point in the closing lines of the poem, where he states “the work of hunters is another thing: I have come after them and made repair”. This highlights how our attempts to control nature often fail, emphasising the human struggle against the ever-changing landscape of life.
Frost also focuses on the constant battle between nature and human organisation in the poem. The wall attempts to create order and predictability in a wild and unchanging world, and yet even it is subject to the unpredictability of nature. This opposition is highlighted with the sight of freezing rivers stopping and starting, a sight which is described as “like wall between us”. This metaphor serves to draw a strong parallel between the farm wall and the changing forces of nature, illuminating the human tendency to attempt to control the uncontrollable.
The poem also refers to the perfect balance that nature offers, as symbolised by the wall. Despite the speaker’s contempt for it, Frost suggests that the wall is essential to protect the farm. Nature serves a crucial role in this, as Frost notes that trees, ice and snow are integral to keeping the wall standing year after year. Nature provides a balance to the structure of the wall, but it also serves as a reminder of the ever-changing forces that humans must constantly contend with.
Overall, Frost’s poem explores the human desire to control nature and the need for balance between the two. The idea of boundaries is central to the poem and serves to illustrate the difficulty of reconciling limits with freedom. Nature serves as a symbol for the unpredictability of life, showcasing how human attempt to impose order are often fruitless. Ultimately, Mending Wall serves as an interesting exploration of our relationship with nature and the boundaries that we create and maintain.
The Role of Society
Mending Wall paints a picture of two neighbouring farmers, each with their own views and opinions on the wall. On one side, the speaker expresses his dislike for the wall and his disdain for the annual wall mending ritual. Yet he is willing to partake, indicating a conflicting relationship between him and society. This could be seen as a metaphor for the larger struggle between freedom and social obligations. Frost invites us to explore the consequences of going against society, and the need for compromise between our needs and others.
The use of the two characters also highlights Frost’s portrayal of the unequal power dynamics that exist between people. The poem implies that the speaker is suppressed by the force of the other man’s words and is unable to express his desires. The other farmer seems to have a greater influence over the speaker, as Frost states “My Apple Trees will never get across And eat the cones under his pines…” This line implies that the speaker’s desires will never be taken into consideration, due to the unequal power structure between the two farmers.
Frost also speaks of the need for understanding in order to achieve reciprocity. Despite the speaker’s contempt for the wall, the poem suggests that it provides a necessary structure to the societal environment. Frost comments on the hypocrisy in our behaviour, noting that although the wall is “like an open door…nobody ever does [cross]”. This highlights the hypocrisy in our desire to separate from others, while at the same time wanting to remain attached. It is only by understanding each other that we can truly break down these walls, and this is something which Frost reflects upon in his poem.
Mending Wall serves as an exploration of the human need for connection. Despite the speaker’s difficulty in admitting his need for the wall, Frost suggests that sometimes it is only by understanding our need for limits that we can truly break free. By harnessing the notion of reciprocity, Frost suggests that our differences can bring us together rather than drive us apart. He invites us to explore our attachment to society, and the limitations that come with it.
The Role of the Speaker
The narrator serves as an important tool in Mending Wall, as he provides a subtle commentary on the action. The speaker’s response to the wall serves to illustrate the human struggle between freedom and obligation, and allows us to gain insight into his thoughts and feelings. This allows us to explore the paradox of our desires and the challenges that come from resisting social norms.
The speaker’s relationship with the wall is complicated, and this is evidenced through his contradictory statements. On one hand, he expresses his dislike for the wall, noting that it creates an “almost separate nation”. On the other hand, he is willing to take part in the ritual of mending it every year. This highlights the human struggle that Frost speaks of, as the speaker is caught between his dislike of the wall and his desire to remain within the social construct.
The speaker’s involvement in the poem’s action is also important in developing the poem’s narrative. Frost refer to the speaker’s contemplation of the wall, noting that he has built it “stone by stone”. This suggests that the speaker is facing his fears and confronting the boundaries in his life, as well as using his own need for order to break down these same boundaries. This serves to highlight the human capacity for change, and how our unwillingness to accept our individual limitations can lead to profound transformation.
Frost’s use of the narrator serves to add depth and complexity to the poem. The speaker’s emotions are central to the narrative, and they serve to deepen our understanding of the poem’s message. Ultimately, Mending Wall is a poem about our need for order and freedom, and by exploring the speaker’s inner turmoil, Frost highlights how these forces can be reconciled.
The Role of Imagery and Symbolism
Frost employs images and symbols to add depth and complexity to his poem. A good example of this is how Frost uses the phrase “like an open door”. This phrase alludes to the idea of freedom, suggesting that the wall is a barrier between freedom and obligations, and that the speaker is unable to cross this barrier. This highlights the difficulty of reconciling one’s desire for freedom and one’s obligations to society.
Frost also employs symbols to explore the theme of separation and connection. For example, the wall serves as a literal barrier between the two farmers, yet it also serves as a metaphor for the boundaries that exist between people. Frost also employs imagery to explore the human need to connect, noting that spring brings “the frozen-ground swell under it.” This highlights the connection between the two farmers, suggesting that despite the limits of the wall, they are still united through their shared understanding of the natural world.
The poem also employs the symbol of nature’s silence to illustrate the speaker’s confusion. When the speaker states “And nothing said”, this serves to emphasise the wall’s purpose, despite the lack of communication between the two farmers. This serves as a metaphor for communication, and suggests that even in the absence of words, we can still understand each other.
Overall, Mending Wall is full of symbols and imagery that serve to add depth and meaning to the poem. Frost’s use of symbols helps to illustrate the tension between freedom and order, and highlights the human need to connect with each other. By exploring these themes, Frost invites us to contemplate the boundaries in our lives and the need for compromise.
The Role of Language and Meter
Frost’s use of language and meter in Mending Wall serves to reinforce the poem’s themes and create a sense of atmosphere. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, a rhythm which serves to emphasise the speaker’s ruminations on life and feelings of melancholia. The meter provides a sense of balance to the poem, and helps to illustrate the speaker’s conflicting feelings about the wall.
The poem’s language is also important in exploring the poem’s themes. For example, the phrase “No one has seen them [the neighbours] made and joined” evokes a sense of loneliness and despair. This reflects the speaker’s struggles between his need for freedom and his obligations to society, and serves as a metaphor for the human need for connection.
Frost also draws on biblical imagery in Mending Wall, as evidenced by the phrase “They have left not one stone on a stone”. This is a direct reference to a saying from the bible, and serves to illustrate the speaker’s contempt for the wall and his rebellious attitude towards it. This serves to highlight the speaker’s autonomy, and his desire to break away from the status quo.
Overall, Frost’s use of language and meter in Mending Wall serves as an important tool in exploring the poem’s underlying themes. His words and rhythms serve to illustrate the speaker’s emotions and ability to break away from societal norms. By highlighting the tension between freedom and obligations, Frost reminds us of the human need for a balance between the two.
