Introduction
Hello and welcome! 🎉 Today, we’re diving into one of Robert Frost’s most evocative poems, “After Apple-Picking.” This poem is a brilliant example of Frost’s ability to weave complex themes into simple, pastoral scenes—a hallmark of his work that places him among the revered figures in American poetry.
“After Apple-Picking” was published in 1914 in Frost’s second collection of poetry, North of Boston. It’s a quintessential piece that epitomizes the genre of pastoral poetry but delves deep into existential themes, making it a fascinating study for both casual readers and literary scholars. Frost, known for his depictions of rural New England life, often used the natural landscape as a backdrop to explore universal human experiences and emotions.
Meaning of After Apple-Picking
Opening section:
The poem begins with the narrator reflecting on his day of apple picking after he has finished with his harvest. The first lines, “My long two-pointed ladder’s sticking through a tree / Toward heaven still,” suggest not only the physical height of the ladder but also hint at spiritual aspirations or reflections on life and beyond.
Mid section:
As the poem progresses, the narrator starts to feel the weight of his labor and the overwhelming nature of his tasks. He recounts the vast number of apples picked and those still left on the tree. This middle section of the poem is where Frost introduces the theme of fulfillment versus weariness, showcasing the laborer caught between satisfaction and exhaustion.
Concluding section:
In the final part of the poem, the narrator is in a state of semi-consciousness, dreaming about apples. The poem concludes with images that blend the real and the surreal, suggesting the thin line between waking life and dreams. This blurring of lines can be interpreted as a metaphor for the human condition—constantly striving, yet always on the brink of different existential planes.
In-depth Analysis
Stanza 1 —
- Literary techniques: Use of vivid imagery (“two-pointed ladder’s sticking through a tree”).
- Syntax and diction: Simple, straightforward language that conveys a clear and visual scene.
- Figurative language: Metaphor (ladder reaching towards heaven).
Stanza 2 —
- Literary techniques: Personification (apples are given human-like qualities, such as wanting to be harvested).
- Syntax and diction: Reflective, with a slightly wistful tone that matches the theme of passing time.
- Figurative language: Symbolism (apples symbolize both bounty and overwhelming responsibilities).
Stanza 3 —
- Literary techniques: Strong visual imagery (“And there’s a barrel that I didn’t fill / Beside it”).
- Syntax and diction: Reflects a sense of incompletion and regret which adds depth to the narrative.
- Figurative language: The unfilled barrel becomes a symbol for unmet goals or unfinished tasks.
Stanza 4 —
- Literary techniques: Use of sensory details to convey physical and emotional states (“Essence of winter sleep is on the night”).
- Syntax and diction: The flowing, almost lethargic diction mirrors the speaker’s fatigue and the onset of sleep.
- Figurative language: “Winter sleep” symbolizes a deep, hibernation-like rest, possibly alluding to death or a pause in life.
Stanza 5 —
- Literary techniques: The melding of dream and reality (“I am drowsing off”).
- Syntax and diction: The syntax blurs with the speaker’s consciousness, enhancing the dreamlike quality.
- Figurative language: Dreaming here is both literal and metaphorical, suggesting an escape from the burdens of reality.
Stanza 6 —
- Literary techniques: Reflection and foresight are encapsulated in retrospection (“For I have had too much / Of apple-picking: I am overtired”).
- Syntax and diction: The straightforward declaration of being “overtired” captures the exhaustion perfectly.
- Figurative language: The repetition of apple-picking as a motif reaffirms its symbolic weight as a life’s labor.
Poetic Devices used in After Apple-Picking
| Device | Example from the Poem |
|---|---|
| Alliteration | “For I have had too much / Of apple-picking: I am overtired” – The repetition of the ‘h’ sound enhances the lyrical quality. |
| Assonance | “Essence of winter sleep is on the night” – The repetition of the ‘e’ sound evokes a dreamy atmosphere. |
| Consonance | “I cannot rub the strangeness from my sight” – The repetition of the ‘s’ sound adds to the feeling of unease and exhaustion. |
| Imagery | “Apples I didn’t pick upon some bough” – Vivid images of the apple-picking scene fill the poem, grounding the abstract themes in concrete pictures. |
| Metaphor | “The ladder’s sticking through a tree / Toward heaven still” – The ladder is metaphorically described as reaching towards heaven, suggesting spiritual aspirations or reflections. |
| Onomatopoeia | “Rumbling” of the barrel of apples – The sound word helps to bring the scene alive for the reader, adding auditory depth. |
| Personification | “The woodchuck could say whether it’s like his / Long sleep” – The woodchuck is given human-like attributes, pondering sleep. |
| Simile | “Magnified apples appear and disappear, / Stem end and blossom end” – Compares the fleeting nature of apples to visions that appear and disappear. |
| Symbolism | Apples represent various things such as the fruits of labor, temptation, and the passage of time. |
| Synecdoche | Using “apples” to represent the entirety of the orchard’s yield, as well as the labor and results of the entire apple-picking season. |
After Apple-Picking – FAQs
Q: What is the central theme of ‘After Apple-Picking’ by Robert Frost?
A: The central theme revolves around the natural cycle of life and the concept of existential reflection. It explores themes of labor, satisfaction, and the inevitability of mortality.
Q: How does Frost use nature in ‘After Apple-Picking’?
A: Nature is not just a backdrop in the poem but a catalyst for existential musing. The act of apple-picking becomes a metaphor for life’s labors and the choices one makes.
Q: What literary techniques does Frost employ to enhance the poem’s themes?
A: Frost uses a range of techniques including imagery, symbolism, and personification to deepen the introspective quality of the poem and highlight its themes.
Q: Can ‘After Apple-Picking’ be considered a reflection on success and its impact?
A: Yes, the poem can be seen as a reflection on the fruits of one’s labor, both literally and metaphorically, and the exhaustion that can accompany success.
Q: What does the ‘sleep’ in the poem symbolize?
A: Sleep in the poem symbolizes a state of rest or escape but also suggests the larger, eternal rest, drawing parallels between a day’s end and life’s end.
After Apple-Picking Study Guide
Exercise: Identify all the poetic devices used in the following verse of ‘After Apple-Picking’:
“My long two-pointed ladder’s sticking through a tree
Toward heaven still, and there’s a barrel that I didn’t fill
Beside it, and there may be two or three
Apples I didn’t pick upon some bough.
But I am done with apple-picking now.”
Answer Key:
- Alliteration: “long,” “ladder’s,” “sticking”
- Imagery: Descriptions of the ladder, the unfilled barrel, and the unpicked apples.
- Metaphor: Ladder reaching “toward heaven.”
- Symbolism: The apples and ladder symbolize tasks left undone and aspirations.
This verse is rich with devices that add layers of meaning and enhance the poem’s reflective tone.