Kimberly Washington

5/19/09
5th Period
English II

“My Life is No Longer My Own”

Robert Frost’s “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” is a beautiful,

metaphorical piece of literature. This piece, much like his other work, seems so simple

upon the first reading, however it becomes apparent that there is much more to it than

what meets the eyes.

This poem can easily be interpreted as a suicide note. This conclusion is logical,

especially when he speaks of the fact that his “little horse must think it queer/To stop

without a farmhouse near/Between the woods and frozen lake/The darkest evening of the

year” (Frost, Robert, Stanza 2) It seems as if Frost intentionally meant to isolate himself

from the world because he was tired of it, so he wanted to permanently remove himself

from the pressures of life. So, yes this conclusion is logical, but I believe that it is not

what Frost was referring to.

Frost speaks of the resentment he feels towards the responsibilities and duties that

have become a burden on his shoulder. The horse in the poem represents a metaphor for

man's ambition, by which man rides to his goals. This conflict represents the struggle

between transience and transcendence in man's nature

Frost does indeed speak of death in his poem, he is contemplating the woods

which are 'lovely, dark and deep' this extended metaphor, shows his longing for freedom,

freedom even through death. The longing for calmness and serenity can easily be
interpreted from this verse. Then he remembers he has 'promises to keep' and 'miles to go

before I sleep' this seems to be enough reason to stay alive, and he resents the duties and

responsibilities which require him to do so.