Acquainted with the Night : Quotations
Acquainted with the Night is a notable literary work by Robert Frost. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Acquainted with the Night.
Quotations
Quotes
“I have been one acquainted with the night.” (The Speaker – Symbolism)
Explanation: The poet begins and ends the poem with this line, showing his deep connection with loneliness and darkness. The “night” symbolizes sadness, isolation, and the unknown side of life. By saying he is “acquainted” with it, the poet expresses acceptance — he knows the pain of silence and the weight of solitude. It reflects a man who has learned to live with his inner darkness.
“I have passed by the watchman on his beat / And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.” (The Speaker – Human Detachment)
Explanation: The poet shows his silent withdrawal from society. The “watchman” represents duty, morality, and social order. By lowering his eyes, the poet avoids interaction — he does not wish to explain his sadness or loneliness. It shows man’s emotional distance from others in the modern world.
“Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.” (The Luminary Clock – Time and Fate)
Explanation: The “luminary clock” (the moon) symbolizes time and destiny. Its declaration that time is “neither wrong nor right” shows the neutrality of existence — life has no fixed moral judgment. It reveals Frost’s philosophy that time flows indifferently, beyond human joy or sorrow.