Theme On The Mending Wall By Robert Frost Essay

In the poem, “Mending Wall”, Robert Frost has managed to convey a strong message about individuality and division to the readers. Through the two distinct characters that he has created, he has been able to convey a strong message about the dissimilar ideas that people have concerning what results in a good neighborhood. The narrator disapproves the obsession of his neighbor with the wall repair; he considers it archaic and old-fashioned. Indeed, he is skeptical about the wall and believes that boundaries are not essential for good friendship. Conversely, the neighbor maintains his mentality that good boundaries result in good neighbors.
The narrator puts forward that nature always attempts to abolish the barricades that people have created, even as they continue to repair the barricades, simply out of tradition and habit. The act of repairing the wall appears to be in disagreement with nature. Each year, stones are extricated resulting in gaps, and there is no explanation for this. Despite the fact that the neighbors replace the boulders that have fallen, by filling the gaps every year, parts of the wall are dislodged again after some months. Therefore, some people believe that boundaries are not essential to build a strong friendship.
Frost points out that, despite the fact that the narrator appears to begrudge the wall repair, he is more active in repairing the wall than the neighbor. In fact, he is concerned with the condition of the wall more than the neighbor. He always wants to make sure that the wall separating their properties is in good condition. He also believes that boundaries result in a good neighborhood. This indicates that he is the same as the neighbor in spite of presenting himself as a man who is modern. He clings to the conception of individuality, division and ownership.
Frost ultimately points out that when boundaries exist between people, the relationship between them improves. By maintaining the division that exists between their properties, they are able to retain their individuality, as well as personal identity. Besides, the act of repairing the wall together allows them to improve the quality of the relationship between them. They are able to meet and engage in conversations as they do the repair. Through the conversations, they develop a good rapport between them and become good neighbors. Frost concludes that boundaries result in strong friendships.