Robert Frost, an esteemed American poet renowned for his word craft, life and legacy, passed away in January of 1963. Born in San Francisco in March of 1874, he lived to the ripe age of 88 years old. After spending a childhood in California, Frost eventually moved east and eventually became one of the most endearing of the American literary figures of the twentieth century.
In 1912, Frost made a decision that would shape the course of his life and career as a poet. He published a book ” A Boy’s Will”, then followed by North of Boston a year later. This collection of poetic works helped him springboard to future success and earned him a Pulitzer Prize. This influence resulted in 3 awards. As a result, Frost effectively set a standard for American verse for many years to come.
Frost had encountered hardships in his life such as struggling with mental illness, loss and family issues. Despite this, he chose literature as an outlet to voice his observations of the simpler joys of nature, filtered through the lens of his struggles with life. He captivated readers with his piercing insights on the human condition. His life and career as a poet left readers with many of his quotable thoughts, captured in his various poems.
After many decades of inspiring, thought-provoking works, Robert Frost breathed his last breath on January 29th, 1963. Throughout his lifetime, he left behind a heavy influence in American Literature. While his works will forever remain as an evidence of his life, Frost will always be remembered for his insights, his wisdom, and his contributions to the world of literature.
Early Years
Robert Frost was born in San Francisco, California on the 26th of March 1874, to Isabelle and William Frost. He lived with his parents and his sisters Jeannie and Elinor, until their father died in 1885. At this time, the family relocated to Lawrence, Massachusetts. This move marked the earliest stage in Frost’s life that would guide him to a more successful career in poetry.
Just as Frost came of age, he attended Dartmouth and Harvard universities, yet he failed his college entrance exams. Still, Frost managed to read verse from numerous classic authors propelling him to attempt to write his own early poems. His work during this period took shape as Frost later observed, ” With the gift of language combined with a sensitivity and emotional maturity. This bled into a notable writing style, influencing his later works.
He also found connections with a number of American poets and divulged in their works. This pushed him to strive for a career in poetry as it became increasingly his ultimate chosen path, and ultimately a defining force of his life. Scholarship opportunities also made it possible for Frost to finally promote his works. This marked a turning point in Frost’s life as he was no longer confined to the provinces of failing exams: Frost was headed towards the literary giant he would become.
It is no doubt the early years of Frost’s life were heavily influential in his later works. From family issues to struggles with education, sympathy and observation of nature shaped Frost’s life into a remarkably insightful and meaningful journey that allowed his literary genius to be fully realized.
Love and Loss
Robert Frost’s life was also greatly affected by his experiences with love and loss. This can be witnessed through his love for his wife, Elinor, whom he married during his junior years at Dartmouth. Frost soon found himself surrounded by his passions, which included his wife Elinor, his work and nature.
His life dynamically changed, however, when Elinor suffered from cancer. Feeling a great sense of grief, Frost focused on his writing as away of escapism. Frost used this escapism as a way to process his emotions surrounding Elinor’s illness. For Frost, writing was a way to express his emotions even when he was unable to verbalize his feelings. This was especially evident in his poem, “Home Burial”.
Although elinor did recover from her illness, she eventually passed away due to the same in 1938. This was a period of immense adjustment and meant Frost had to continue living without his loving wife. This deep loss, paired with the perception of life’s faults helped transfer Frost’s observations into his writing.
Frost’s love for Elinor and her eventual passing deepened his connection to nature and to writing. Already an avid writer, he fixated on his works as a main source of comfort and thus, a bridge for his poetic outpourings.
Later Years
By his later years, Frost remained a prominent figure in American Literature. His status as a notable author was further legitimized as he was commissioned to continue write for the government in 1951 through 1958.He was also awarded honorary degrees from Oxford and Cambridge in the early 1950’s. His prolific career was also validated by being honored with four Pulitzer Prizes.
Throughout his later years, Frost was still able to capture the simpler joys of life through his works.His writing was also heavily influenced by his observations and interpretation of life. He wrote, “In hard times kings and beggars are equally hard hit. And both bear it with fortitude that is tragic and unbowed. He was not afraid to express himself subjectively before anyone else.
Although he spent his latter years in and around the New England cities of Cambridge, Franconia and Bennington, Frost’s literary genius managed to transcend both geographic boundaries and the limits of time. By this time, his poems had already proven to be a long-lasting legacy that would survive him long after his passing.
Frost was a master of his craft and made sure that his influence on American Literature was secured with his profound works.His poignant words and observations of life inspired many and left readers with the gift of his timeless quotes. This eventuated in Frost being an important figure in the poetic world both during and following his life.
Death and Legacy
After experiencing a long and successful career as a poet, Robert Frost passed away on January 29, 1963 in Boston, Massachusetts. Frost was 88 and succumbed to prostate cancer. The same illness had taken his beloved wife 28 years earlier.
His influence in American Literature became deeply entrenched within years to come. From letters to books, Frost left behind a plethora of works for the world to study. This influence was also exerted through 4 Pulitzer Prizes he had obtained. These awards further established Frost’s respectability within the literary world and provided him with the financial means to pursue his passions.
Frost’s legacy merged with his love of nature and everyday life to create a heavy influence on American Literature. Through his poems, Frost was able to express his frustrations of life coupled with his positive observations of the simpler joys of life. His aesthetic words were intertwined with his unique writing style. Frost effectively became one of the most renowned poet of the 20th century, keeping readers emotionally connected with his poetic verses.
With over two thousand pieces of written works, Frost’s literary genius stands in its own right. His genius was further enforced with the many awards he has obtained throughout his life. Frost’s legacy will live on much longer after his passing. He will always be remembered for his gifted influence in American Literature through his poignant words and poetry.
