Birches: Summary and Analysis

           The poem ‘Birches’ is reminiscent of the poems of The Romantics. Nostalgic, dreamy, escapist- it has all the qualities of any other romantic poem. The poem opens by giving possible explanations for the bending of the birch trees. Then the poet goes on to explain the beauty of the crystallized snows and ice-capped trees. The poet imagines a boy bending the branches while returning after herding his cows. The poet again mentions another boy bending the branches of trees in his father’s orchard. And this reminds the poet of his similar childhood experiences. The poet would like to go away from the earthly desires and then return to them after getting refreshed by swinging.

            He wants that no fate should misunderstand him and grant him only half of his desire so that he may be permitted to leave the earth but not to return to it. Earth is the right place to make love, and nowhere else love be fulfilled. He would like to go by climbing a birch tree, and would like to climb black branches up to the snow-white trunk toward heaven, until his burden becomes unbearable to the tree. Again he would come back from top to bottom and this would be a source of good joy for him both going and coming back. One could do worse if one did not like to be a swinger of birches.  He expresses his desire to go away from this world of responsibilities and return to his childhood once again so that he can start his life afresh from the beginning. He wants the fates to grant him a half wish as he doesn’t want to go away permanently from this world but to come back again because, after some considerations, he reconciles to the idea that earth is the best place for love.

            The theme or the central idea of birches is the interrelationship between reality & imagination. The poet knows very well that the bending of birches can only be brought about by an ice storm. Yet, he prefers to think that it is done by some energetic prankster. The poem illustrates the poet’s ability to take what seems to be mundane activities of life & turn it into something that holds a deeper meaning. The poem revolves around a boy living in the countryside “whose only play was what he found himself,” in this case, riding birch branches. On a deeper & figurative level, we also find the theme of life & death underlying in the poem. The poet writes a lot of meditations on life & death bringing forth some elements of spirituality. Moreover, Birches is a poem about Truth.

            Truth is at times cold and uninviting. A pinch of fantasy makes the truth appealing. In this poem, we find the tendency of human escapism. The poet cannot avoid returning to the “truth” and responsibilities of the ground. He wishes for a temporary escape either as an imaginative writer or a climber of birches. He is ready to face reality after his brief suspension of it.

Robert Frost: As a Poet of Nature

 

        Robert Frost is regarded as one of the greatest poets of the 20th century. His poems often deal with themes of nature and the natural world. His poetry reflects his deep love and appreciation for nature, and he often explores the relationship between human beings and the natural environment. Actually, Robert Frost finds many elements in nature that inspire him in his poetry, including the beauty and majesty of the natural world, the cycles of growth and decay, and the resilience and adaptability of living things.

            In many of his poems, Frost celebrates the changing seasons and the cycles of nature, from the first buds of spring to the falling leaves of autumn. He uses the natural world as a metaphor for the human experience, exploring themes of renewal, transformation, and mortality.

            Frost is also deeply interested in the relationship between human beings and the natural world. He often reflects on how we interact with nature, and how our actions can impact the environment around us. He believes that a deep appreciation for nature is essential to our understanding of us and our place in the world.

            Some of his most notable poems that showcase his talent as a poet of nature include "The Road Not Taken," "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," and "Birches."

            In "The Road Not Taken," Frost presents readers with a choice between two paths in a forest, and the speaker must decide which one to take. The poem's title suggests that the decision to take a certain path is significant, and the natural setting underscores the importance of this choice. Frost describes the woods as "yellow" and "fair," and the speaker must choose which path to take "where it bent in the undergrowth." This imagery highlights the beauty of the natural world and the importance of making choices that will lead us to new and different experiences.

            "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" is another of Frost's most famous poems, and it too deals with the theme of nature. The speaker stops in the woods to admire the beauty of the snowfall, but he must eventually move on. Frost uses vivid descriptions of the woods, such as "The woods are lovely, dark and deep," to evoke a sense of awe and wonder. The speaker's appreciation of nature is further emphasized by his reluctance to leave the woods, even though he has important obligations to fulfill.

            "Birches" is another poem by Frost that showcases his talent as a poet of nature. The speaker in this poem reflects on his childhood memories of swinging on birch trees, and he uses the natural world as a metaphor for life's experiences. Frost describes the birch trees as "loaded with ice a sunny winter morning" and notes how they bend and sway under the weight of the ice. This imagery suggests the resilience of the natural world and the importance of finding joy and wonder in life's challenges. Robert Frost's poetry often reflects his love for rural life and the natural landscapes of New England. He had a keen eye for the natural world and was able to capture its beauty and intricacy in his verse.

            In his poem "Mending Wall," Frost uses the imagery of a stone wall to explore the relationship between human beings and the natural world. The speaker of the poem reflects on the annual ritual of rebuilding the wall with his neighbour, and questions the need for such a barrier between them. Frost suggests that the wall is a symbol of the human desire to separate ourselves from nature and from each other.

            Another notable poem by Frost, "After Apple-Picking," explores the relationship between human beings and the cycle of the seasons. The speaker reflects on his experiences of picking apples and describes the weariness that comes with the end of the harvest season. The poem uses the imagery of apples, leaves, and snow to evoke a sense of the natural world's cycles of growth and decay.

             Robert Frost's poetry demonstrates his deep appreciation for the natural world and his ability to use nature as a lens through which to explore human experience. Through his use of vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, Frost invites readers to contemplate the beauty and complexity of the natural world and to consider our place within it. His poems continue to inspire readers to this day and remain a testament to his legacy as a poet of nature.