Robert Frost as a modern poet

Answer

Evaluate Robert Frost as a modern poet. [NU: 2020, 22]

Or, In what sense is Robert Frost a modern poet? [NU: 2017]

Or, Frost’s poetry reflects modern life despite its pastoral settings.

Robert Frost (1874–1963) is one of the greatest American poets of the twentieth century. He lived and wrote in the modern age. He is famous for his portrayal of the simple pastoral settings of New England, where he lived. Frost’s poetry goes beyond the pastoral settings and focuses on the thoughts, struggles, and feelings of modern men. Let us evaluate Robert Frost as a modern poet below.

Loneliness and Human Connection: Modern poets often talk about loneliness and the desire for human connection. Frost is no exception. “The Death of the Hired Man” (1914) focuses on these themes. In this poem, Warren and Mary talk about the return of their old farm worker, Silas. Silas is very sick. Warren is unwilling to hire Silas again because he left the farm during a busy haying season. But Mary realizes that Silas has not returned to work. He has come back to his close ones in his final moments. She says to Warren:

“He [Silas] has come home to die.” 

Silas does not go to his brother, who is a rich bank director. This shows how lonely Silas is. In the end, Silas dies. So, Silas’s story is the story of a lonely man who seeks human connection in his final moments.

Lonely Walker: The speaker of “Acquainted with the Night” (1927) is also lonely. He walks alone through the city streets at night. He says:

“I have been one acquainted with the night.”

Here, the night does not only mean darkness but also sadness and loneliness. When he meets a watchman, he lowers his eyes and does not speak. This shows that he does not want human contact. So, the whole poem shows a man completely cut off from society. Such a theme