Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
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Research Article

The Complexity of "Tree" Imagery in Robert Frost's Poetry

Tongjing YiInner Mongolia University*

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

Robert Frost is often regarded as a highly esteemed poet within the realm of modern and current American literature. Frost’s poem appears straightforward but is actually quite intricate. Furthermore, Frost’s poetic works are characterised by a rich tapestry of imagery that adds to their overall intricacy. Moreover, Frost’s poetry exhibits a substantial presence of tree imagery. A variety of trees exhibit distinct behaviours, like falling to the ground, emitting sounds, or remaining in a state of quiet. Furthermore, these trees manifest diverse forms and dimensions. This study focuses on three selected poems by Frost, namely The Sound of the Trees, On a Tree Fallen Across the Road, and Tree at My Window. The objective is to examine the intricate employment of tree imagery in Frost’s poetry through the lens of analysing poetic imagery. Upon careful examination, it has been shown that the intricacy of the “tree” imagery in Frost’s poems can be attributed to two distinct factors. Initially, Frost undertakes a division of the “tree,” a whole entity, into two distinct components, each symbolising distinct concepts of liberation and restriction. This deliberate act enhances the depth of the underlying symbolism. Another factor to consider is that the depiction of “tree” is not fixed, but rather undergoes transformations as time progresses.

Keywords: Robert Frost; poetry; trees; imagery
Published: December 7, 2023
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/18/20231161
Volume: CHR Vol.18
pp. 192-197
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