Robert Frost’s beloved poem, ‘Birches’, was first published in 1916 in the collection Mountain Interval. Frost wrote ‘Birches’ during a period of great stress in his life, as he was grieving the death of two of his children and questioning the spiritual truth of his existence. The poem is a metaphysical meditation on nature, the mortal human condition, death, and the possibility of resurrection. Although the poem has a somber tone, it is also a hopeful one, as Frost explores the idea that death is not absolute but merely a transition from this life to a possible next one.
The title of the poem is somewhat ironic, given that the poem dwells not on a particular birch tree but on how Frost views nature in general. He muses on whether weathering a snow-laden birch tree with bent limbs or cutting it down is an analogy for how we manage our own forces of nature as humans. He wonders if he can survive the metaphors of winter, of life-changing events, of death and still remain alive. Frost’s word choice emphasizes the poem’s theme of death and redemption, such as the words “submission”, “swinging”, “sag”, and “scar”.
The poem employs imagery from the natural world: its title refers to birch trees, and other poetic imagery includes a “sweep of easy wind”, a “ravine”, and a “winter storm”. The poems final stanza returns to the title of the poem and the image of the birch tree, as Frost contemplates a metaphysical transformation into a bird, suggesting the potential for rebirth. The poem’s structure accounts for its meaning; it is composed of three stanzas, each of five lines, indicating a tripartite nature of existence that gives us a glimpse into our mortal lives and a possible afterlife.
The symbolism Frost applies to nature also applies to life and death. The birch trees, “One by one hooked, bent to the ground/Not like saplings drooping tired/But with deep desire to soar/Grown chilled to the rovering frost”, can be viewed as a metaphor for humankinds desire to move up and beyond the mortality of life. The white snow Frost uses to illustrate the birch tree’s beauty can also be seen as a symbol of death and transformation. The line, “They click upon themselves/As the breeze rises”, which he uses to describe the effects of cold winter winds on the birch trees, can also be interpreted as a reference to the fleetingness of our earthly lives.
Exploring Nature’s Role
Frost explores nature’s power over the human experience throughout the poem. He questions whether man can master it, submitting to, what’s sometimes the ravages of nature: “Earth’s the right place for love:/I don’t know where it’s likely to go better.” Though it’s clear that man cannot conquer nature, Frost also hints that he can find solace in it: “Ah, when to the heart of man/Was it ever less than a treason/To go with the drift of things,/To yield with suspension/Cross the superb line of forever.” With such musings, Frost imparts his own hope that nature can offer some comfort in an otherwise bleak and unfulfilling life.
Frost’s direct language and vivid imagery make ‘Birches’ one of his most beloved and oft-quoted poems. It provides both a wistful reflection on mortality and a joyous celebration of overcoming the limits of mortality through a spiritual awakening. Its timelessness is such that it could have been written in any era; its meaning remains as true today as it was when Frost wrote it over a century ago.
The Role of Mystical Nature
The poem speaks of Frost’s belief that the acceptance of death and nature’s power is the way to transcendence. The poem is full of references to a higher power and the metaphysical, from the title to the imagery: from the birch trees waving in the wind to Frost’s bird metaphor for resurrection and his yearning to “sag down and run away” in search of a higher truth. Nature is used as a tool in the poem, to allow Frost to explore the idea of death and the possibility of resurrection.
Frost’s view of nature as something mystical, with the power to bring death and resurrection is at the heart of the poem. Though Nature gives solace, Frost still feels its power as a force of mortality. Nature asks the ultimate question: how to move forward beyond the harsh reality of life? But with this power, nature also offers hope, leading to a spiritual awakening that allows Frost to contemplate the possibility of something beyond death.
Frost employs personification throughout the poem, using nature as an actor in a play about mortality and redemption. He speaks to Nature as a character, “And now you’d think the inner dome of heaven/Had open’d to the earth below”. By taking the role of narrator, Frost is able to both observe death and resurrection and participate in Nature’s power by expressing his thoughts. By making death and resurrection tangible, Nature allows Frost to come to terms with his own mortality.
The Role of Symbols
Throughout the poem, Frost uses symbolism to represent death, redemption and the metaphysical journey of life. The birch tree is used to symbolize man’s mortality and struggle with death. Frost muses on whether to weather the bend of a birch tree with its aging limbs, or to cut it down and start fresh. This symbolizes man’s power to battle adversity and keep going. The white snow from which the tree is covered symbolizes the beauty of life and death, representing both the joy of life and the peace of death. Finally, Frost’s imagery of birds is a metaphor for resurrection and the possibility of life beyond death.
Frost’s own life was full of both joy and sorrow. He had experienced great loss, and this pain is reflected in his poems. Iconic among these works is ‘Birches’, a poem that speaks of joy in life and hope in death. By weaving together Nature, mortality and resurrection, Frost creates a timeless and powerful piece that resonates with generations of readers.
The Role of Language
Frost’s language and imagery are integral to ‘Birches’ and serve to reinforce the poem’s theme of mortality and hope. Frost makes a successful union of English ideation and Canadiana, of which he was a master. He skillfully translates the most splendid features of Nature, from sweeping gusts of wind to a solitary birch tree, into compelling symbols of death and resurrection. Frost’s poetic language brings his ideas to life, allowing readers to share his emotional journey.
Frost occasionally employs devices such as alliteration, apostrophe, and anaphora, to add layers of meaning to his words. The repetition of the word “swinging” implies Frost’s ambivalence toward life and death. Alliteration, such as that contained in the lines “The look of things, their soft bloom, dusk/Soft carol of the living whole” evokes a feeling of being in the presence of something greater than ourselves. Additionally, Frost employs witty and humorous metaphors to convey his message, such as “Earth’s the right place for love:/I don’t know where it’s likely to go better.” All these subtle nuances of Frost’s language add to the beauty and profundity of ‘Birches’ and help to make it the beloved classic that it is today.
The Voice of Nature
Frost brings Nature to life in ‘Birches’; it is almost as if Nature speaks to Frost directly through the poem. Nature is a living, breathing character. Frost observes it closely and speaks to it, revealing his thoughts as he does so. Nature’s voice is one of both despair and hope: while Frost expresses his sorrows, Nature provides comfort and peace that allow Frost to accept mortality. Nature’s voice is also a reminder to Frost of his own mortality, as it whispers of renewal, life, and death. Throughout the poem, Nature is used as a metaphor for life’s struggles, death and resurrection.
‘Birches’ paints a vivid picture of Nature as a living entity, one that is both omnipresent and mysterious. Frost speaks to Nature and of Nature in a way that reveals his deep connection to it. He speaks to Nature with both awe and apprehension, as if it were a force he wishes to understand but of which he is still afraid. By utilizing the landscape of the Canadian wilderness and its inhabitants, Frost creates a living metaphor for mortality that speaks of hope and redemption in the face of death.
Conclusion
Robert Frost’s poem ‘Birches’, written when he was mourning the death of two children and questioning his own spiritual truth, is a heartbreaking and hopeful exploration of mortality, death and redemption. By utilizing language and imagery from the world of Nature and combining it with his own emotions and struggles, Frost creates a powerful, moving and timeless piece that speaks to the human spirit. With its mixture of sorrow, hope, and spiritual truth, ‘Birches’ will continue to touch hearts and souls two centuries after it was first published.
