Discovery - Robert Frost

Discuss how ONE of Robert Frost’s poems represents the significance of relationships in the process of discovery

Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Eve is one of Frost’s most famous poems due to the emotional response it evokes from both the speaker and the reader. The speaker is stuck between 2 different worlds: the world of human responsibility, and the natural world of solace and relief.

The initial response to the poem seems simple - a man stopping in the woods on a snowy evening to enjoy the scenery. However, after further analysis, it becomes evident that Frost uses a range of techniques to highlight how certain relationships are significant in the character’s process of discovery.

One of the significant discoveries made by the composer, is the beauty of the natural environment.

The physical process of travelling through the woods is what makes the speaker recognise the beauty in his surroundings. The persona implies that he is bound by social obligations, and was fulfilling these obligations when he made his discovery, therefore the discovery was unexpected.

The statement, “The woods are lovely, dark and deep”, shows that the persona is intrigued by the mystically of the woods. Accumulative listing is used to show the persona’s thoughts on the woods, and as an audience we can speculate that the woods offer a sense solitude and tranquility for him. The word ‘lovely’ is an example of a paradox, as it seems absurd to use such an idealistic word to describe something permeated with danger. Furthermore, the use of alliteration in ‘dark and deep’, denotes that an important message is being conveyed beyond the literal meanings of the words.

This discovery not only encompasses the physical beauty of nature, but also the beauty of tranquility and solitude which is provided by nature. The discovery was influenced by the persona’s spiritual relationship with the creator.

This relationship is constantly developing and is strengthened by spending time in nature and admiring the surroundings.

The connection that the persona shares with this divine being, is what draws him back to the woods and away from social obligation. By preoccupying himself with nature, the persona begins