What does the horse represent in the poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”?
In Robert Frost’s (1874-1963) poem, the horse plays a key role in the story. While it might seem simple, the horse represents important ideas about life. Let’s explore what the horse means.
Represents Reason and Practicality: The horse is practical and logical. When it shakes its harness bells, it is confused. It finds it strange to stop in the woods without a farmhouse nearby. This shows how the horse represents the need for structure and order. Like the horse, we often need reminders to keep moving forward and follow the rules of daily life.
Represents Duty and Responsibility: The horse also symbolizes duty. The speaker wants to stay and watch the snow, but the horse reminds him that he has promises to keep. The shake of the bells represents how we often face our responsibilities, even when we would rather relax or give in to temptation.
Represents the Pull Between Desire and Responsibility: The horse is a symbol of the pull between desires and duties. The speaker is drawn to the beautiful woods, but the horse brings him back to his journey. This shows how we sometimes feel torn between what we want to do and what we need to do.
In conclusion, the horse represents reason, duty, and the balance between our desires and responsibilities. It helps remind the speaker to keep going on his journey.