Robert Frost's The Exposed Nest is discussed in terms of symbolism and the historical context of World War I. His devices, including aesthetic distance, tone shifts, and allusions, are designed to make the reader consider the poem's philosophical questions.
The title clearly gives the main idea of the plot, but it also symbolizes a philosophical...More
Robert Lee Frost (March 26, 1874 – January 29, 1963) was an American poet. His work was initially published in England before it was published in the United States. Known for his realistic depictions of rural life and his command of American colloquial speech, Frost frequently wrote about settings from rural life in New England in the early twentieth century, using them to examine complex social and philosophical themes.
Frost was honored frequently during his lifetime and is the only poet to receive four Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry. He became one of America's rare "public literary figures, almost an artistic institution." He was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1960 for his poetic works. On July 22, 1961, Frost was named poet...More
Robert Lee Frost (March 26, 1874 – January 29, 1963) was an American poet. His work was initially published in England before it was published in the United States. Known for his realistic depictions of rural life and his command of American colloquial speech, Frost frequently wrote about settings from rural life in New England in the early twentieth century, using them to examine complex social and philosophical themes.
Frost was honored frequently during his lifetime and is the only poet to receive four Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry. He became one of America's rare "public literary figures, almost an artistic institution." He was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1960 for his poetic works. On July 22, 1961, Frost was named poet laureate of Vermont.
In Contemporary Literary Criticism, the editors state that "Frost's best work explores fundamental questions of existence, depicting with chilling starkness the loneliness of the individual in an indifferent universe."
Book Summary
Robert Frost's The Exposed Nest is discussed in terms of symbolism and the historical context of World War I. His devices, including aesthetic distance, tone shifts, and allusions, are designed to make the reader consider the poem's philosophical questions.
The title clearly gives the main idea of the plot, but it also symbolizes a philosophical question the poem brings to light. That question is about sheltering our young, keeping them innocent. The word "exposed" expresses Frost's feeling about sheltering the young birds, that they need shelter, because "exposed" conotates that it should have cover but is lacking. The "nest" in the title literally is the group of young birds, but it symbolizes all young, innocent life.
Robert Frost
