Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening

By Robert Forest
USA

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To where 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.

Guide Questions
1. Where was the man going on the darkest night of the year?
2. Why does the speaker stop to watch the “woods fill up with snow”? What
draws him to this scene? Describe the speaker’s attitude upon seeing the woods?
3. How does Frost create mood and what kind of mood does he create?
4. Do you view the ending in a positive or negative light? Why?
5. Why is this poem’s last line repeated? What does this tell you about what has
gone on before?

A. Background of the Literary Piece:

The poem describes the speaker's experience of stopping by a woods on a

snowy evening and admiring the beauty of the snow-covered trees and the
peacefulness of the scene. The speaker is tempted to stay in the woods longer, but
he feels a sense of obligation to continue on his journey. The poem is often
interpreted as a meditation on the choices that people make in life and the tension
between the desire for solitude and the demands of society.

B. Background/Biography of the author:

The Literary piece entitled Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening

By Robert Forest he is American poet who was much admired for his depictions of
the rural life of New England, his command of American colloquial speech, and his
realistic verse portraying ordinary people in everyday situations.

a) Born on: March 26, 1874 San Francisco California

b) Died on: January 29, 1963 (aged 88) Boston Massachusetts

C. Analyze the assigned Literary piece

a) Theme:
 Exhaustion
 Fatigue
 Depression
 Optimism
 Commitment

b) Rhyming Scheme:
 AABA BBCB CCDC DDDD

c) Figure of speech used:

 Personification
 Metaphor
 Repetition
 Imagery
 Symbolism

D. Symbolism:
  Woods - Throughout this piece, the poet engages with one primary
symbol the woods. They represent one side of the two choices that
the speaker has before them. They could head towards the woods or
they could return to their mundane obligations. The woods represent
a freedom of sorts, liberated from the constraints of society, and
without the endless tasks, everyday life demands on the average
person. There, one could live within the natural world and enjoy the
peace nature has to offer. But, it should be noted, the woods are also
“dark and deep.” They also represent darkness and present the
speaker with the option of “sleep,” or as some have interpreted it,
death.

E. Reflection:

In this poem entitled Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert

Forest, is that life is full of competing priorities and desires, and we must make
choices that reflect our responsibilities and obligations. The poem encourages us to
appreciate the beauty of the world around us, but also to recognize that there are
limits to our freedom and that we must accept our responsibilities and continue
moving forward with our lives.

F. Question and Answer of the Guide Questions:

1. Where was the man going on the darkest night of the year?
2. Why does the speaker stop to watch the “woods fill up with snow”? What
draws him to this scene? Describe the speaker’s attitude upon seeing the woods?
3. How does Frost create mood and what kind of mood does he create?
4. Do you view the ending in a positive or negative light? Why?
5. Why is this poem’s last line repeated? What does this tell you about what has
gone on before?