Robert Frost’s “Mending Wall” My research will analyze and interpret the use of symbolism in the poem and the use of the barriers as a symbol of the emotional and physical barriers that persons face in the society. The primary literature will be taken from the scholarly article of George Montiero who looks at the differences between neighbors and the boundaries that exists on a physical and emotional level. In addition, the review of the poem is important as the author presents a fresh perspective on the views of the renewal and retention of human relationships. Additionally, I will use the scholarly reviews given by Frank Lentricchia who looks at the “Mending Walls” in relation to some of Frost’s other works. The article is important as it reflects on Frost’s need to address the issues of human vision and the way persons react to the barriers in their lives. Finally, I will use John C. Kemp’s scholarly review to help to gather literature on the conflict that exists in “Mending Wall” and the way in which the opposition in the poem serves as a barrier between different persons. The reviews from these scholars are important as they provide a comprehensive critical review of the poem which relates to the areas of conflict and barriers that are of importance to me.
I will further attempt to interpret the original text of the poem by Frost in order to try to understand and relate the issues of boundaries as it affects my personal understanding of the barriers that exists within my personal relationships. In order to assess the poem and address the scholarly reviews I will use New Criticism as a critical viewpoint as it allows for a better assessment of the American poems and their structure as a self-contained and self-referential aesthetic object. American poetry is unique and in order to assess the Frost’s work I would need to first understand the literary theory that dominated the American poetry in the 20th century. New criticism as a tool for critical analysis of the poem is important and relevant to understand Frost as an American poet. This research will be important to scholars and even educators who wish to understand the importance of personal and physical barriers in the lives of persons.
Research Questions
How does Frost present the fence as a barrier to human and their physical and emotional experiences with their neighbors?
What is the importance of symbolism in the poem and how does the wall act a symbolic element in the poem?
Tentative thesis:
While fences serve as a physical barrier between neighbors, Robert Frost’s “Mending Wall” shows that fences reflect both emotional and physical barriers between different persons in the society.
References
Frost, Robert “Mending Wall” Louis Untermeyer, ed. (1885–1977). Modern American Poetry. 1919
Kemp, John C., On “Mending wall” [Excerpted from a longer analysis; please consult Kemp's
book for the full text.] From Robert Frost and New England: The Poet as Regionalist. (1979) Modern American Poetry, Web 14 Mar 2016 < http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/a_f/frost/wall.htm>
Lentricchia, Frank On “Mending Wall” from Robert Frost: Modern Poetics and the Landscapes
of Self. (1975), Modern American Poetry, Web 14 Mar 2016 <http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/a_f/frost/wall.htm>
Montiero, George, On “Mending Wall” from "Unlinked Myth in Frost's 'Mending
Wall.'" Concerning Poetry 7:2 (Fall 1974) Modern American Poetry, Web 14 Mar 2016 < http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/a_f/frost/wall.htm>
