Stopping by the woods on a snowy evening Flashcards
Theme
temptation vs responsibility
life vs death
Tone
ambiguous
“His house is in the village”
“He will not see me stopping here”
God? woods are neglected by God it is a place from temptation for the speaker. ‘village’ - extended metaphor civilisation could indicate responsibility and how that juxtaposes temptation.
“To watch his woods fill up with snow”
The speakers temptation is not just a quick temptation but long highlighting that the speaker is struggling mentally.
“My little horse must think it queer to stop without a farmhouse near”
horse represents humanity and perhaps responsibility. ‘Little’ - horse is insignificant. Speaker is away from civilisation physically but also may feel a sense of loneliness contributing to the speakers mental struggle
“Between the woods and frozen lake”
nature is beautiful reflects how the speaker feels trapped between dark mental places, but still appreciate it and find comfort
“darkest evening of the year”
Metaphorical darkness, sadness. His sadness overwhelms him like the darkness overwhelms the day. This could be a reoccurring event like an anniversary.
“harness bells a shake to ask if there is some mistake”
Could indicate a warning from society, and that they do care about the speaker
“lovely, dark and deep”
Rule of three almost oxymoronic, reflecting the speakers, conflicting feelings towards death/temptation. The speaker finds comfort in death and darkness.
“I have promises to keep”
Humanity is real by responsibility and obligation. This causes the speaker to keep on going in life.
“miles to go before I sleep” x2
Repetition indicates the speakers convincing themselves, sleep is a metaphor for death punctuation and standard for juxtapose to stand two enchantment, highlights reality versus deep and thought
Form
- I am big Panter predictable rhythm like a plotting horse this highlights how the speaker has to keep on going and that they cannot stop
-Rhyme scheme is AABA BBCB CCDC DDDD last stanza has a change in rhythm scheme to surprise reader, and reflect change in attitude, highlights how the speaker will not be tempted - 108 words only have more than one syllable. It reflects the simplicity.