Robert Frost was America’s preeminent poet of the 20th century, and his works remain popular today. He is best known for his thoughtful use of imagery, his clarity of expression, and his fascination with everyday rural life. Most of Robert Frost’s life was spent in New England, the geographical area of the United States that includes Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. He lived in multiple places in New England, and each had a profound impact on his work.
Frost’s first home in New England was a farmhouse in Derry, New Hampshire. He moved there with his family in 1900 to escape a business failure in his father’s home state of California. Despite the tensions stemming from his parents’ different religious backgrounds, Frost was able to find his inspiration in the environment of the New England farm. He studied nature, and often wrote poems that conveyed his observations of the region.
One of Frost’s most acclaimed poems, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”, was inspired by the landscape of Derry. In the poem, Frost conveys the serenity of a rural New England winter, with its deep snow drifts, silent woods, and bracing cold. He also reflects on the allure of the natural environment and how it can both tantalize and entrap.
In 1912, Frost left Derry and moved to Franconia, New Hampshire. This farm in a small town provided him with a different perspective, though he was still able to observe nature in vivid detail. Frost’s most famous poem, “The Road Not Taken”, was written while he was living in Franconia, and it speaks to his musings on making choices in life.
In 1915, Frost moved to Franconia, where he lived for most of his life. He bought a farmhouse, and spent his time writing, planting trees and flowers, and gardening. During this time, he wrote some of his best-known works, such as “Mending Wall”, an exploration of the challenges of human relationships, and “The Oven Bird”, a poem about the passage of time.
Frost didn’t leave Franconia until 1938, when he took a job at Amherst College in Massachusetts. He wrote some of his most celebrated poems, like “Nothing Gold Can Stay” and “The Gift Outright” in Amherst. His home in Franconia was maintained and eventually became a museum that is open to the public. He remained in Amherst until his death in 1963.
The Influence of New England on Frost’s Life and Work
New England certainly had a profound effect on Robert Frost’s life and work. He moved to the region as a young man and stayed until the end of his life. After settling in New England, he published several acclaimed collections of poems, won four Pulitzer Prizes, and even read a poem at John F. Kennedy’s presidential inauguration. This region provided him with the inspiration to achieve his success in the literary world.
One major influence that New England had on Frost’s work was his use of rural settings and images of nature. He often wrote about farmers, woods, and hills, creating vivid pictures with his words. This imagery inspired by New England was a major part of his writing, and readers could easily relate to it. These rural images also showed a reverence for the everyday, a sense of humanism which was deeply rooted in the region.
Another aspect of Frost’s work which was directly shaped by New England was his use of dialect. He wrote many of his poems using the speech of rural New Englanders, which added a unique flavor to his work. This dialect brought a sense of warmth and familiarity to his writing, and it stands as an iconic example of the style and spirit of the region.
Finally, Frost was deeply impacted by the religious and spiritual history of New England. He was born and raised in a Protestant, Christian home, and this had a lasting effect on his work. Frost made many religious references in his poems, meditating on the relationship between faith and everyday life, and combining his spiritual musings with his love of nature.
Frost’s Relationships with other New England Writers
Robert Frost had many connections to the literary scene of New England. His friend and former English professor, George F.B. Boot, was an influential writer who encouraged Frost throughout his career. Another contemporary of Frost was Robert Lowell, the foremost American poet of the mid-20th century. Frost and Lowell developed a strong friendship, and their correspondence reflected a shared passion for their work.
Frost was also a major influence on the poet Elizabeth Bishop. Bishop was a New England native and a fellow Pulitzer Prize winner and she often drew inspiration from the works of Frost. She said of him, “No one else has ever given me such a sense of security about my judgment, or made me so acutely aware of the possibilities of poetry.” Frost and Bishop remain two of the most influential figures in American poetry.
Frost was also particularly close to his daughter, Lesley, who wrote about their life in New England. Their relationship was complex, as Frost sometimes found his fame to be a difficult burden for their family. Nevertheless, his connection to Lesley was evident in her works, particularly the poem “Midsummer Night”, which was inspired by Frost’s presence and his story-telling.
Robert Frost’s place in the New England literary scene is evident in the works of his peers and successors. His poetry is an immortal monument to the region and its culture, and it stands as an enduring tribute to the people of New England.
The Legacy of Robert Frost in New England
Robert Frost’s lasting legacy in New England is clear. He is held in high esteem in the region, and his iconic works remain widely read and appreciated. His poems, which often draw on the countryside and people of New England, remind people of the beauty and nostalgia of the region’s rural roots.
Frost is widely honored in both the literary and secular worlds. He was the first poet to be honored with a commemorative postage stamp from the United States Postal Service, and his works are a staple in high school English classes across the country. He is also remembered in the spiritual world, often honored in Christian churches throughout New England.
The beauty and culture of New England were a constant source of inspiration for Frost, and it is no surprise that he left an indelible mark on the region. As one of the most influential poets of the 20th century, Frost’s lasting legacy will continue to be appreciated by both New England natives and poets around the world.
Robert Frost’s Life in the Media
Robert Frost’s life has become increasingly visible in the media over the years. His works are often featured in movies, television shows, and documentaries. His poem, “The Road Not Taken”, was featured in the animated movie, “Frozen”, and his work is also referenced in the popular HBO series, “Westworld”.
Frost is also the star of his own biographical film, “Frost/Nixon”. The film follows the story of Frost’s celebrated 1977 television interviews with former president Richard Nixon, and his determined effort to get answers from the disgraced politician.
The life of Robert Frost continues to be referenced in popular culture today. He is quoted in popular scriptural texts, including the Bible and the Qur’an. His work is also celebrated in the world of music, with bands like U2 and Coldplay citing Frost as an inspiration in their lyrics.
The name Robert Frost is also a popular choice for company names and titles. In the world of academia, multiple institutions have been named after him, including the Robert Frost Institute of Literature at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Robert Frost Middle School in Fairfax, Virginia.
Robert Frost’s works have certainly earned him a place in the media landscape. His name continues to evoke a sense of nostalgia and reflection, and his influence will remain in the public consciousness for years to come.
Frost’s Engagement with Public and Political life
Robert Frost was also heavily involved in public and political life. He engaged in debates about the role of poetry in education, and even wrote a book on how poetry and education intersected. He held prestigious posts in both the United States and overseas, and he was cited by the American Academy of Journalists and Writers for having “an enormous influence on modern American life”.
Frost also became an integral part of the political landscape when he read his famous poem, “The Gift Outright”, at the 1961 presidential inauguration of John F. Kennedy. This poem stood out as a contrast to the formal rhetoric of politicians, and it captured the attention of the public. Frost was praised for his eloquent and powerful reading of the poem, and he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1962 for his contribution to American culture.
Robert Frost is an iconic example of a poet who was able to shape public discourse and influence politics. His works reflect both his love of life and his engagement with the world around him, and they continue to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds.
