American Auther

“Robert Lee Frost was an American poet. His work frequently employed settings from rural life in New England in the early twentieth century, using them to examine complex social and philosophical themes. A popular and often-quoted poet, Frost was frequently honored during his lifetime, receiving four Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry” ("Poem Hunter", 2015). The author had written several popular poems; however, there are three memorable works that have captured the heart of the American poet. The works are "The Road Not Taken," "After Apple Picking," and "Home Burial." The biography will explain how Frost's works are particular American and how his life influenced his incredible journey as a poet. Frost found his poetry in the familiar objects and character of New England, but the people who have never seen New Hampshire or Vermont would develop an appreciation of the landscape, the characters, and the stunning visualization. The author wanted the reader to be engulfed by the works and experience his or her revelation.

Robert Frost was an incredible literary writer and his works still engages readers of all ages. His poetry can paint a picture with words and evoke emotions in subjects that are taboo such as death and mortality.  "Robert Frost was born March 26, 1874, in San Francisco, California to Isabelle Moodie and William Prescott Frost, Jr" (Hoffman, 2003, p. 71).  Both parents were school teachers who exposed Robert to the world of books, reading, and literature.

The author began writing poetry after entering high school in Lawrence, Massachusetts and published his first poem in the school paper.  He graduated top of his class along with Elinor White, who shared the title of valedictorian.  In 1892, Frost attended Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, and he shortly left to return home to teach like his parents.  He continued to write poetry while teaching and had his first poem, "My Butterfly published in a New York newspaper called the Independent" (Hoffman, 2003, p. 71).  In 1894, Frost tried to persuade Elinor White to marry him; she rejected him.  Frost attempted suicide after the rejection, but Elinor later married him, and they had six children.  He was able to buy a farm with the help of his grandfather to support the family.

By 1912, Frost had suffered the loss of two children, and it caused turbulence in his marriage.  Frost went through a period of depression.  He sold the family farm and moved his family to England to concentrate on his writing.  He received the Pulitzer Prize four times for poetry; he also received many awards and honors for his literary writings over the years. Robert Frost died on January 29, 1963, leaving behind a literary legacy that everyone can relate to and be inspired.

The composer was deeply influenced by the countryside of New England where he spent most of his life. He loved nature and the rural life and used simple and natural patterns of speech in his poetry. The subjects of his writings were also simple as his life was in New England. Despite the simplicity of his poems, they were universal representations of common situations. He had a perfect meter and rhyme, and his poetic images were great despite the simplicity of his style that classifies him among the greatest poets.

The poets were influenced by psychological meditation and often dark meditations on universal themes and familial ties. Frost was also influenced by outside factors such as political dilemmas like the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

"The Road Not Taken"

American poetry styles engage the reader by introducing stunning visualization of the setting, depicting "What is American" by using emotions, nature and events about everyday life. This type of style allows the reader to become a part of the story and visualize himself or herself in the setting.  Another characteristic of American writing is the use of free verse, which is quite different from the traditional style of writing. Frost's works are particularly American in style, as the works demonstrate the use of realistic themes, settings, and rhythm.  In the poem, "The Road not Taken," the narrator was walking through the woods when he was confronted with a fork in the road, and he had to make a choice on which direction to follow (Perkins & Perkins, 2009). He describes each path in the road to allow the reader to feel the differences. Even though the paths may look alike, one path is well traveled, and the other is the road less traveled as shown by the grass needing wear.  Frost uses the fork in the road as a metaphor to reach out to his audience and inform the individual that he or she does have a choice in which direction to follow in their life. Does the traveler take the easy road or does he take the road less traveled, knowing that he cannot travel both (Perkins, 2009).  

"After Apple Picking"

In the poem, "After Apple Picking" Frost again shows us an American style of writing in his vivid description of the scene in the orchard. The narrator spent the entire day picking apples; however, he did not complete the task. The character aches from his hard labor and still envision the apples that still need to be picked. The author describes the scene with such depth it depicts the orchard ready for a winter sleep, the hoary grass, and frozen trough (Perkins & Perkins, 2009).  The narrator was tired and looks forward to sleep; however, he dreads to what type of sleep awaits for him. The narrator wondered if he will hibernate like the woodchuck; experience normal human sleep; or will he experience the long winter sleep of death. Frost's allegory can be considered bizarre by the way is varies from traditional structure.  The allegory is full of metaphors and symbolizes the hard choices in life. The apple represents the choices one must take, the apples left on the ground are the opportunities missed in life, and the apples that are picked are the opportunities chosen.