Robert Frost was an academic, poet and literary figure during the early twentieth century. His contributions to American poetry are celebrated by many, and he has been awarded four Pulitzer Prizes for poetry. But why did Robert Frost write poetry? Here are some of the main reasons.
A Lifelong Love of Poetry
Frost had always had an affinity for poetry. He wrote his first poem while still a student at Lawrence High School. The poem was titled ‘My Butterfly’ and published in the magazine The Independent. Frost’s poetic talent continued to shine throughout the years, resulting in numerous works being published.
The Desire to Make a Living
Frost had a strong desire to make a living. In 1912, Frost moved to England seeking fame and fortune for his work. While in England he became acquainted with the poet Ezra Pound and other members of the London literary scene and this provided an excellent opportunity to launch his career as a poet and make a living
The Expression of Emotions
Frost’s personal life may have been a significant source of inspiration for his poetic works. While living in England, Frost married Elinor White, with whom he had already had four children. Frost’s marriage to Elinor was a tempestuous one and many of his works featured characters trying to find their way through life’s complex roads and emotional turbulence.
The Empowerment of Nature
Frost also used his poetry to depict nature and the rural landscape of New England. He sought to portray the beauty of the landscape, but also the way in which nature could be used to subjugate and oppress humans, a concept he explored in his poem ‘“The Road Not Taken” in which he expresses the idea of having to make difficult choices in life.
The Rejection of Political, Social and Cultural Institutions
Frost’s works also criticised political, social and cultural institutions in America. His poem “Mending Wall” is an example of this type of writing, in which he criticises the idea of divisions and boundaries between people. Another poem titled “The Gift Outright” rejected the idea of ownership and how land was used for economic gains by the wealthy few.
A Reflection of Philosophy and Religion
Frost also sought to express his personal philosophical and religious views through his works. His poems often featured biblical themes and he also explored ideas of death and mortality, such as in his poems “Design” and “Home Burial”. In other works such as “The Need of Being Versed in Country Things” and “The Oven Bird”, Frost sought to explore the idea of man’s relationship with nature.
The Defiance of Literary Norms
Frost was known for challenging literary norms and conventions. He rejected the impressionistic style of poetry popular during his time, instead opting for a more traditional style which featured clear and direct language. This defiance of literary norms allowed him to find his own unique voice and ultimately produce some of the most iconic poetry of the twentieth century.
The Desire to Reach Larger Audiences
Frost also sought to reach a larger audience through his works. He wrote in a very accessible way, presenting his ideas in a straightforward manner which made them more accessible to a wider range of readers. This strategy allowed his works to reach a large audience, which contributed to his immense popularity.
The Search for Meaning
Robert Frost wrote his poetry out of an innate need to search for meaning and understanding in life’s complex roads. His works have been praised for their philosophical depth and the way they reflect the human experience in a very insightful way. Frost sought to provide guidance and insight to his readers, something which he achieved through his works.
The Humanization of Nature
Frost also sought to humanize nature through his works. He often used nature to represent the complexities of the human experience and to show how man was impacted by the natural world. This is evident in his poem “Tree at My Window”, where nature is presented as an entity which can be both positive and negative in its impact on human life.
The Application of Metaphors and Symbolism
Frost also employed metaphors and symbolism in his works in order to depict complex ideas and the inner workings of the human mind. His works featured complex imagery and symbols, such as in “Desert Places” where he used the image of snow to symbolize the loneliness and despair of the protagonist.
