How Are Fact And fancy Blended in Frost’s Poetry?
Mending Wall 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 Mending Wall.
Answer
How are fact and fancy blended in Frost’s poetry?
Robert Frost’s (1874-1963) poetry is a masterful blend of fact and fancy. It creates a rich tapestry of meaning that captivates readers with its simplicity and depth. In poems like “Mowing,” “The Oven Bird,” “Out, Out—,” “Fire and Ice,” and “Come In,” Frost interweaves realistic elements with imaginative insights. It reveals profound truths about nature, life, and human emotions. Here are key points demonstrating this blend of fact and fancy in Frost’s work:
Nature’s Realism and Human Imagination: In “Mowing,” Frost combines the realistic depiction of a farmer’s work with the imaginative sounds of the scythe. The poem begins with a vivid description:
There was never a sound beside the wood but one,
It transforms the reader into the physical world of mowing hay. Yet, as the poem progresses, the sound of the scythe “whispering” becomes a symbol of the poet’s creative process. It suggests that the hard work of farming is akin to the labour of writing poetry.
Natural Imagery and Philosophical Musings: “The Oven Bird” combines the factual observation of a bird singing in summer with philosophical reflections on change and decay. Frost describes the bird’s song as “a diminished thing,” reflecting the decline of summer. This realistic portrayal is enriched by the bird’s symbolic role. It encourages readers to ponder life’s inevitable transitions and the passage of time. It blends the concrete and the abstract seamlessly.
Stark Reality and Sudden Tragedy: In “Out, Out—,” Frost presents a vivid and brutal scene of a boy’s fatal accident with a buzz saw. The blend of fact and fancy appears in the personification of the saw, which “seemed to leap” on its own. It gives the inanimate object a sense of malicious intent and adds a layer of horror and disbelief to the real tragedy.
The saw,
As if to prove saws knew what supper meant,
Leaped out at the boy’s hand, or seemed to leap—
Through these poems, Robert Frost skillfully intertwines the factual elements of the natural world with imaginative and philosophical musings. It creates a poetic experience that is both grounded in reality and rich with deeper meaning. This blend of fact and fancy encourages readers to consider the beauty of everyday life as well as appreciate the beauty of everyday life.