Bowman PatriciaRobert Frost’s use of nature is often misunderstood. Despite the frequent presence of natural imagery in his poetry, Frost himself asserted, “I am not a nature poet. There is almost always a person in my poems.” Rare exceptions include “Spring Pools” and “A Winter Eden,” which both depict near-perfect natural scenes. However, even in these poems, the idealization suggests a human presence or influence.
Frost’s poems frequently feature nature imagery, showcasing his deep understanding of the natural world. However, he does not aim to educate readers about nature’s workings. Instead, his poetry delves into human psychology. Frost employs rural scenes, landscapes, and farmers to explore psychological struggles encountered in everyday life, emphasizing themes of courage, will, and purpose. His approach is stoical, honest, and accepting. Typically, Frost begins with a natural observation and transitions to a human-related concern or situation. Unlike transcendentalists or pantheists, Frost maintains a unique perspective.
Frost viewed nature as a formidable force that could challenge humanity, yet he also saw man’s battle with nature as heroic. This perspective is evident in his poem “Our Hold on the Planet”:
There is much in nature against us. But we forget:
Take nature altogether since time began,
Including human nature, in peace and war,
And it must be a little more in favor of man,
Say a fraction of one percent at the very least,
Or our number living wouldn't be steadily more,
Our hold on the planet wouldn't have so increased.
Frost perceived nature as independent and indifferent to mankind. Despite nature’s beauty, he acknowledged its harsh realities. He accepted these dualities as facets of reality that poetry could encompass, probing the nature of truth without expecting clear answers.
Nature in Frost’s poetry often serves as a metaphor. He makes observations about nature that suggest analogies to human experiences, leading readers to draw connections without imposing his interpretations. On a literal level, his poems are accurate, particularly in botanical and biological terms, but they are not intended as mere nature or animal stories. Instead, Frost uses nature metaphorically to reflect on human concerns. His poems, while making literal sense, invite readers to find deeper meanings.
Frost is often regarded as a parablist, beginning with a psychological concern that finds material embodiment in natural scenes. He meticulously describes these scenes using figurative language and sound poetic techniques. His works are exemplary in their use of imagery and poetic devices, showcasing his skill as a versifier.
Throughout his life, Frost grappled with traditional faith-based views and the rise of science. Debates continue about whether he believed in God, as his poetry is rich with contradictions that support opposing interpretations. Frost believed in an ever-changing, open-ended universe that defies systematic explanation, be it scientific, religious, or philosophical. He considered evolution a metaphor for a constantly changing world.
Frost’s view of the universe was one of skepticism and withheld judgment. He claimed not to be an agnostic, stating, “I have no doubts about my beliefs.” He was comfortable with contradictions, seeing no need to resolve them. Instead, he believed that humans, through their freedom, could balance these contradictions in a dynamic interplay. He did not view any age as worse than another, embracing the Christian doctrine of Acceptance, which acknowledges the necessity of both good and ill in life.
