Mending Wall by Robert Frost: An Exploration of Boundaries & Relationships

Introduction

🍁 Welcome to the world of Robert Frost’s “Mending Wall”! This timeless piece, penned by one of America’s most celebrated poets, offers a rich tapestry of themes that resonate deeply with its readers. Frost, known for his depictions of rural New England life, often explores the intricate relationships between humans and nature. Written in 1914, “Mending Wall” is part of his collection from North of Boston. It falls beautifully within the genre of narrative poetry, where Frost uses traditional verse to tell a compelling story.

Contents

In “Mending Wall,” Frost describes the annual event of two neighbors who meet to repair the stone wall that divides their properties. Despite its simple premise, the poem dives deep into the philosophical realms of boundaries and the paradoxical human desire both to isolate and to connect. Now, let’s unravel the layers of meaning in this captivating poem! 🌿

Meaning of Mending Wall

Opening Section

“Mending Wall” opens with the famous line, “Something there is that doesn’t love a wall,” immediately introducing the theme of natural forces opposing barriers. The narrator reflects on how the frozen ground swells under the wall each winter, causing stones to topple. This natural act sets the stage for a broader reflection on the barriers humans erect:

Something there is that doesn’t love a wall, That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it, And spills the upper boulders in the sun;

Mid Section

As the poem progresses, the focus shifts from the natural landscape to the human interaction at the wall. The narrator and his neighbor meet to repair the damage each spring, engaging in what appears to be a cooperative task. Yet, through their interaction, Frost explores the deeper implications of tradition and ritual in maintaining divisions:

We wear our fingers rough with handling them. Oh, just another kind of outdoor game, One on a side. It comes to little more:

Concluding Section

The poem culminates in the narrator questioning the necessity of the wall. His neighbor responds with the adage, “Good fences make good neighbors.” This conclusion starkly contrasts the narrator’s growing skepticism about the need for the wall, highlighting the tension between tradition and change:

He will not go behind his father’s saying, And he likes having thought of it so well He says again, “Good fences make good neighbors.”

In-depth Analysis

Stanza by Stanza Breakdown

“Mending Wall” is a rich tableau of imagery, metaphor, and dialogue. Each stanza contributes to a layered understanding of the poem’s themes. Let’s dissect some of the key elements:

Stanza 1 —

Something there is that doesn’t love a wall,
That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it,
And spills the upper boulders in the sun;

— Natural Forces: The poem begins with the forces of nature acting against the artificial barriers created by humans, symbolizing the inevitable breakdown of rigid structures.

Stanza 2 —

And makes gaps even two can pass abreast.
The work of hunters is another thing:
I have come after them and made repair

— Human Intervention: While nature dismantles, humans continually strive to repair and maintain boundaries, highlighting a cyclic struggle between preservation and decay.

Stanza 3 —

Where they have left not one stone on a stone,
But they would have the rabbit out of hiding,
To please the yelping dogs. The gaps I mean,

— Conflict and Interference: The stanza introduces the hunters, whose actions disrupt the wall for pragmatic reasons, unlike the philosophical reflections of the narrator.

Stanza 4 —

No one has seen them made or heard them made,
But at spring mending-time we find them there.
I let my neighbor know beyond the hill;

— Tradition and Communication: The annual repair of the wall is a tradition that requires communication and cooperation, reinforcing social bonds despite the barrier the wall represents.

Stanza 5 —

And on a day we meet to walk the line
And set the wall between us once again.
We keep the wall between us as we go.

— Paradox of Connection and Separation: The act of mending the wall together is both connective and divisive, a powerful metaphor for human relationships.

Poetic Devices used in Mending Wall

Device	Example	Effect
Alliteration	“Before I built a wall I’d ask to know”	Adds a musical quality, emphasizes the phrase
Personification	“Something there is that doesn’t love a wall”	Gives nature agency, suggesting natural forces resist human barriers
Metaphor	“Good fences make good neighbors”	Suggests that boundaries are essential to relationships
Imagery	“And spills the upper boulders in the sun”	Creates a vivid picture of the wall’s deterioration
Irony	The entire act of mending the wall	Highlights the contradiction between the neighbors’ actions and the narrator’s beliefs
Symbolism	The wall itself	Represents barriers, both physical and metaphorical, between people
Anaphora	“He is all pine and I am apple orchard”	Emphasizes difference and personal identity
Caesura	“Oh, just another kind of outdoor game, One on a side.”	Creates a pause that adds dramatic weight to the dialogue
Assonance	“We wear our fingers rough with handling them.”	Enhances the lyrical quality of the line
Repetition	“Good fences make good neighbors.”	Reinforces the theme of tradition and the accepted wisdom of maintaining boundaries

Mending Wall – FAQs

Q: What is the main theme of “Mending Wall”?
A: The main theme of “Mending Wall” is the tension between tradition and change. It explores how people maintain boundaries (both literal and metaphorical) and the implications of these boundaries on relationships. The poem questions whether walls are necessary or beneficial in fostering good neighborly relations.

Q: How does Robert Frost use imagery in “Mending Wall”?
A: Frost uses vivid imagery to bring the scene to life, such as “spills the upper boulders in the sun,” which not only illustrates the physical state of the wall but also symbolizes the natural world’s indifference to human-made boundaries. This imagery helps to emphasize the ongoing conflict between man-made structures and natural forces.

Q: What is the significance of the line “Good fences make good neighbors”?
A: This line, repeated by the neighbor, serves as a pivotal moment in the poem. It represents the acceptance of traditional beliefs without questioning their validity. It contrasts with the speaker’s more inquisitive nature, highlighting different approaches to the concept of boundaries in human relationships.

Q: Why does the speaker in “Mending Wall” disagree with his neighbor about maintaining the wall?
A: The speaker questions the necessity of the wall since it separates them without a clear reason, such as livestock that could stray from one property to another. His questioning reflects a broader skepticism about blindly following tradition without understanding its purpose.

Q: Can “Mending Wall” be seen as a critique of social norms?
A: Yes, “Mending Wall” can be interpreted as a critique of social norms and conventions that dictate separation and division among people. Frost challenges the reader to think about why we follow certain traditions and whether they serve a purpose in modern society.

Mending Wall Study Guide

Exercise: Identify the Poetic Devices in the Following Verse
Provide answers separately.

Verse: He moves in darkness as it seems to me,
Not of woods only and the shade of trees.
He will not go behind his father’s saying,
And he likes having thought of it so well
He says again, “Good fences make good neighbors.”

Answers:

Imagery – “He moves in darkness as it seems to me,” uses visual imagery to depict the neighbor’s traditional and unexamined adherence to old sayings.
Symbolism – “Darkness” symbolizes ignorance or lack of enlightenment.
Repetition – “He says again, ‘Good fences make good neighbors,’” emphasizes the neighbor’s firm belief in tradition.
Allusion – Referring to “his father’s saying” hints at traditional values passed down through generations, reinforcing the societal norm.