Interpreting The Ordinary From Mr. Robert Frost's,

712 Words3 Pages
Due to my complicated and intricate thought process, I as the reader was looking for reasons outside of the ordinary to explicate the “hidden meaning” of Mr. Frost’s short poem “The Pasture”. I was unable to accept the simplicity of the stanzas, and so I read and reread the poem multiple times. I was awkwardly searching for what wasn’t. Upon recognition of the simplicity, I was then able to see and feel the love, warmth, and compassion that Mr. Frost achieves so well. These three points or emotions combined with the strong use of imagery are the fundamentals for an unusually short yet profound piece of literature. Interpretation is left to the reader through identification and when simplicity is applied towards the joys of living, an easiness or happiness, is successfully achieved. The title itself, “The Pasture” expresses open-mindedness to beauty, pure and simple. My interpretation of a pasture in New England is of rolling hills of grasses, with the dampness of early morning dew, and the coolness of an early spring morning. The subtle, yet precise imagery reflects a concise tone of warmth and happiness that weigh upon the reader’s mind. For myself, there was a moment of clarity achieved after several thorough readings. And this was ascertained by my own personal identification. It was almost as though I where able to see as the author had scene. The first stanza conjures up pleasurable images of moments in time or life. The physical activity of raking leaves from a “spring”, momentarily suggests chaos. Yet a pureness returns, almost as though passing through a meditative process of action. This action, being “chores” or work, is done without any outside distractions interfering with one’s own thoughts. The physical manipulation of this spring, created by raking the leaves either from the surface or from the edge of the water, implies dirtiness or chaos.
Open Document