Similarities between the poet and the tree at the window in the poem Tree at My Window

Answer

What similarities do you find between the poet and the tree at the window in the poem ‘Tree at My Window’?

In his poem ‘Tree at My Window’ (1928), Robert Frost (1874-1963) shows some similarities and dissimilarities between himself and the tree standing outside his window. He uses vivid imagery to explore the shared experiences and emotions of himself and the tree. They have a mutual connection with the passage of time, isolation, and the desire to be connected.

Temporal Existence: The poet and the tree are similar in the case of their temporal existence. The tree is a silent witness to the changing seasons, much like the poet, who is observing life’s transformations. Frost writes,

But tree…
You have seen me when I was taken and swept
And all but lost.
That day, she put our heads together.

Isolation and Solitude: Both the poet and the tree have moments of seclusion and isolation. The poet feels lonely in his room and finds solitude by observing the tree’s isolation. The poet says,

Tree at my window, window tree,
My sash is lowered when night comes on;
But let there never be curtain drawn
Between you and me.

Affected by External Circumstances: The poet compares himself to the tree outside his window in terms of being adversely affected by external factors. External conditions are natural disasters in the case of the tree and adverse life situations in the case of the poet.

To conclude, Frost skillfully connects the poet’s inner thoughts with the presence of the tree in “Tree at My Window.” Frost portrays a similar sense of temporal existence, loneliness, and fragility through this unique analogy. Again, he highlights the universal human longing for connection with nature.