What Message Does Frost Convey Through his Poem “Mending Wall?”

Answer

What message does Frost convey through his poem “Mending Wall?” [NU. 2018, 2021] ★★★

Robert Frost’s (1874-1963) “Mending Wall,” the first poem in his 1914 collection “North of Boston,” is one of his most celebrated poems. The poem describes how the speaker and a neighbor meet to rebuild a stone wall between their properties—a ritual repeated every spring. Frost explores deeper ideas like boundaries, communication, and the need for connection through this simple action.

Questioning the Necessity of Boundaries: The speaker in the poem questions the necessity of the wall, especially since there are no cows to keep in or out, and the wall seems to serve no practical purpose. He wonders if these barriers actually keep people apart rather than bring them together. The speaker says,

Something there is that doesn’t love a wall

This line suggests that there is a natural force, or perhaps a human instinct, that resists unnecessary divisions.

The Neighbor’s Perspective: However, the neighbor believes that:

Good fences make good neighbors,

It implies that clear boundaries help maintain peaceful relationships. This reflects a more traditional view that people need separation to avoid conflict.

Message: Frost’s message is not one-sided. He presents both perspectives by allowing the reader to ponder the balance between boundaries and openness. The poem suggests that while boundaries can sometimes protect and define relationships, they can also isolate and prevent meaningful connections.

To sum up, the real challenge is understanding when and where these walls are truly necessary.