Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening : summary

“Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” is an iconic poem by Robert Frost (1874-1963). The poem explores themes of nature, mortality, and the struggle between duty and attraction. The poem tells the story of a traveller who is passing through a snowy forest on the darkest night of the year. He stops to admire the beauty of nature. Soon, he is reminded of his responsibilities by his horse. So, he continues his journey.

The first stanza sets the scene by describing the traveller’s surroundings. He is passing through a snowy forest on a dark and quiet winter evening. The second stanza describes the beauty of the forest. The snow is deep and pristine, and the only sounds are the wind and the horse’s bells.

The third stanza suggests that the traveller is tempted to stay in the forest and enjoy its beauty. He says that the owner of the woods lives in the village, and he is stopping to watch the woods fill up with snow. The fourth stanza suggests that the traveler is torn between his desire to stay and his sense of duty. He knows he has promises to keep and miles to go before he sleeps.

The final stanza concludes the poem with a repetition of the last line, emphasizing the traveler’s determination to continue on his journey despite his temptation to stay.