Literary Analysis of

Robert Frost’s “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening”

a.i. State what attracts the speaker to the woods.

The writer is attracted to the woods by its beauty and serenity.
a.ii. Describe why the attraction is so powerful.
The woods present an escape from the reality of his usual life and offer a sense of calm that he lacks
due to his many obligations.

b.i. Pick out THREE images in the poem.

The poem employs the use of visual and audio imagery. Three cases that exemplify this are, “To stop
without a farmhouse near” (Visual); “the darkest evening of the year” (Visual); “He gives his
harness bells a shake” (Audio).
b.ii. Comment on the effectiveness of each image.
The imagery used in the poem allows for an intimate view of the writer's surroundings. The first
example, “...without a farmhouse near” shows a lonely and uninhabited place. It brings to point that
the characters are far away from civilization/society or possibly the ideology and constraints of it.
“The darkest evening of the year”, the next example chosen, symbolically adds gloom to the poem,
that otherwise alludes to the beauty of the woods. This causes the reader to question the simplicity of
the poem: is it in actuality a ruse to hide an underlining message? The final example, “He gives his
harness bells a shake”, while personifying the horse, ironically pulls the reader back to the reality
that this peaceful place may only be a dream.

c. State TWO contrasts which are mentioned in the poem.

This poem as a whole is laden with contrasts that are rather subtle, in terms of the way they are
presented. A contrast between responsibilities to society and freedom can be understood from the
poem when analyzed in its entirety. Another, rather obvious, example of contrast in is seen in the third
stanza: the abrupt sound of the harness bells versus the silence of the easy wind and downy flake.

d. Comment on the effect of the repetition in the last two lines.

The repetition of the phrase, “And miles to go before I sleep” in the last two lines, is the paragon of
the poem's duality of being simple and complex. While the final lines usually conclude or resolve the
moot of a poem or any other type of literature, Frost uses them, in this poem, to give way to thought.
The reader is allowed to choose a desired scenario from his/her interpretation of the preceding
stanzas.
e. State THREE conclusions the speaker seems to have reached in the last stanza.
If the poem is seen as simple then the repetition is simply to emphasize the idea that the fanciful
woods , though enticing, must ultimately be given up for the reality and importance of duty: his
obligations and promises cannot be set aside as for his personal gratification. Another scenario
could be that the speaker, regardless of his weariness, realizes that this temporary rest will subtract
from the much needed rest that will come only at his journey's end. Conversely, it can also be seen
metaphorically as the writer considering his imminent mortality and the need to experience life to the
fullest. As a result he may have chosen to risk staying in these beautiful and serene woods for fear
that he would not have the opportunity to experience them again. After this “stop by the woods” the
narrator may have chosen to move on or to stay, this is solely dependent on the reader's
interpretation and choice.
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.