Taking into account Robert Frost’s legendary status within the canon of literature, it can be challenging to understand why he wrote ‘Mending Wall’. This poem defies the traditional notion of a poem, yet speaks to notions of boundary, containment and power, in spite of its heavy reliance on rural imagery. By looking at the stylistic and linguistic devices used in ‘Mending Wall’, we might gain valuable insight into why Frost may have chosen to write it.
Conflicting Opinions
The first aspect to consider is that Frost’s ‘Mending Wall’ is rooted in the author’s exploration of the inherent conflicts between neighbours, both literal and perceived. Within the poem the speaker and his neighbour travel to the wall which marks their property boundaries in order to repair it with heavy stones, a symbol of their mutually visible agreement to the relationship of neighbours. This traditional rural image is then contrasted by different opinions on the necessity of the wall. The speaker’s neighbour adamantly believed in the wall saying ‘Good Fences make good neighbours’, while the speaker learnt about the power of nature, saying ‘It’s there because it’s older than us’.
Connectedness
By using these conflicting opinions and the rural backdrop, Frost calls into question the connectedness between neighbours. The maintenance of the wall implies that both parties are setting up a boundary to protect their own patch of land, but the theme of shared responsibility is hinted at when the speaker speaks of the wall shaking itself if it were not being taken care of by both parties. Consequently, the wall is presented by Frost as a device which seeks to define boundaries but also as a force that requires two parties to work together to strengthen the connection that they share.
Power Dynamics
Frost thereby cleverly weaves in a layer of power dynamics in ‘Mending Wall’, highlighting the power of the assertive neighbour over the passive speaker. By comparing the farm animals to men, Frost suggests that the occupants’ relationship to the wall is no different to the animals’ needs for shelter and protection. This idea of the wall being a sign of survival hints at the power of the assertive neighbour, as he dominates the poem both verbally and stylistically. In the end of ‘Mending Wall’, Frost leaves the biggest impression through the lack of resolution, as the poem closes with the speaker realising that all he can do is agree with his neighbour, who has been in charge through the entire poem.
The Human-Nature Relationship
Furthermore, Frost carefully integrates the concepts of nature and man in his poem. For example, the imagery used to describe the stone being moved between the neighbours could be interpreted as naturalistic. The wall serves both a practical and symbolic purpose, with ‘Gaps even two can pass abreast’ easily being associable with two entities coming to a mutual understanding, with Frost asserting that when there is no need for a fence anymore, both individuals are linked together by the lack of it. In this way, Frost invokes a connection between the human-nature relationship, and the obligations that those in a shared space have to each other to ensure the survival of both.
Onomatopoeia
Finally, Frost incorporates the stylistic device of onomatopoeia in ‘Mending Wall’ to highlight the labour that goes into the mending of the wall; even the actions of nature are described in human terms, through ‘An animal is-free and can only be scared away’. Consequently, Frost is attempting to build a bridge between man and nature, through his use of the onomatopoeic words, helping to emphasize the notion that humans are part of nature, and as such, they are obligated to its protection through the building of walls which keep them safe.
Stability and Boundaries
In conclusion, Frost’s poem ‘Mending Wall’ uses rural imagery and language to explore relationships between people and nature, and the power dynamics which arise from boundary-setting. The poem suggests that the wall is necessary for maintaining stability between individuals due to the shared responsibility it involves, as Frost recognises that when we maintain boundaries, we are also protecting nature. By incorporating onomatopoeic words, both to describe man and nature, Frost offers a unique perspective on the human-nature connection which can be built through building and maintaining boundaries.
Gender Dynamics
The examination of why Robert Frost wrote ‘Mending Wall’ also opens the door to looking more closely at the gender dynamics it contains. The idea of boundaries calls to mind traditional gender roles, with masculinity representing the imposed order on nature and femininity representing the fragility and impermanence of nature. Through his use of rural imagery and conflict between two opposing views, Frost highlights traditional gender roles and the power dynamics of both the male and female characters. Interpreting the poem in this way can further our understanding of Frost’s aims in writing ‘Mending Wall’.
A Call for Reconciliation
The poem also suggests Frost’s exploration of the notion of reconciliation between males and females. While the speaker of the poem is not necessarily a male, male pronouns are often used in the poem to refer to the speaker and his neighbour. The poem’s use of conflict and its juxtaposition of opposing opinions illustrates the need for reconciliation between two different ideas, without necessarily leaning towards one side over the other. By presenting both perspectives within the two voices, Frost may be suggesting that reconciliation is possible within any conflict, no matter how divided the two sides may seem.
The Power of Nature
Another possibility that could be explored is the idea of the power of nature that is frequently discussed in the poem. The speaker appears to be aligned with the power of nature, and the poem may be hinting at what Frost perceives as the ultimate power in life – the power of nature. The poem could be suggesting that by adopting the principles of nature and its power, we can learn to respect the boundaries that have been set, and to accept and work with those boundaries.
The Evolution of Relationships
In this light, the poem also hints at the evolution of relationships. While the poem begins by focussing on the relationship between the two characters, it may be suggesting that they, and all relationship, require change and evolve over time, as the poem’s progression moves away from a conventional rural context, and more towards an exploration of gender roles, boundaries, and power. By presenting the two characters as united through the maintenance of their wall, Frost calls attention to the fact that despite the setting, and despite the presence of a boundary, the characters are still part of the same shared space.
The Subtle Power of Language
Finally, Frost’s decision to write ‘Mending Wall’ in a deceptively casual style also needs to be considered. By presenting the poem in this manner, Frost is showing the subtle power of language and its ability to convey a deeper and more meaningful message. This can not only be seen in the poem’s description of the relationship between man and nature, but also in its expression of power dynamics and gender roles. In this way, Frost is able to critique the existing power structures, relationships and roles, whilst still reaching out for peace and understanding through the power of language.
