Maple by Robert Frost (Summary & Explanation)

 

Maple

by Robert Frost

(Summary & Explanation) 

Summary

"Maple" is a poem by Robert Frost, which describes the experience of the narrator observing a maple tree being cut down by a man with an axe. The poem reflects on the natural cycle of life and death, and the relationship between humans and nature.

The poem opens with the narrator noticing a man with an axe cutting down a maple tree, which is described as "lovely" and "beloved." The narrator expresses sadness and confusion about the tree's fate, wondering why it must be cut down.

As the man continues to chop at the tree, the narrator describes the sounds of the axe hitting the trunk, and the gradual weakening of the tree. The narrator reflects on the tree's life, recalling its "youthful summers" and its "autumn glow." The tree is portrayed as a symbol of life and vitality, which makes its destruction all the more poignant.

In the final lines of the poem, the narrator wonders about the future of the tree, suggesting that it may grow again in a new form. The poem ends with the narrator expressing a sense of acceptance and resignation, as they acknowledge the natural cycle of life and death that is evident in the destruction of the maple tree.

Explanation

The poem "Maple" by Robert Frost has a simple and straightforward structure, with four stanzas of four lines each. The poem is written in free verse, without any set rhyme scheme or meter.

The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the man with the axe and the maple tree that he is cutting down. The second stanza describes the sounds of the axe hitting the tree and the narrator's emotional response to the destruction of the tree.

The third stanza reflects on the life of the tree, describing its "youthful summers" and "autumn glow." Frost uses vivid language to evoke the beauty and vitality of the tree, which contrasts with the violence of its destruction.

The final stanza offers a sense of closure, as the narrator wonders about the tree's future and accepts its fate. The poem ends on a note of resignation and acceptance, as the narrator acknowledges the natural cycle of life and death that is evident in the destruction of the maple tree.

Overall, the poem's structure reflects its themes of transience, impermanence, and the relationship between humans and nature. The simple and direct language, combined with the absence of a set rhyme scheme or meter, gives the poem a sense of intimacy and immediacy, as if the reader is witnessing the destruction of the tree firsthand.

"Maple" by Robert Frost makes use of a number of literary tools to convey its themes and create a vivid picture of the scene. Some of the literary tools used in the poem include:

Imagery: Frost uses vivid imagery throughout the poem to bring the scene to life, describing the maple tree as "beloved" and "lovely," and evoking its beauty and vitality through phrases such as "youthful summers" and "autumn glow."

Metaphor: The maple tree in the poem serves as a metaphor for the transience of life and the impermanence of all things. Its destruction represents the natural cycle of birth, growth, decay, and death that all living things undergo.

Symbolism: The maple tree also serves as a symbol of the natural world, which is often in conflict with human desires and needs. The man with the axe represents the destructive power of humanity, while the tree represents the beauty and fragility of the natural world.

Allusion: Frost makes a subtle allusion to the Biblical story of the Garden of Eden in the line "By heaven, I think I see a swallow / Stop to decide which way to fly." The image of a bird pausing to consider its options suggests a moment of hesitation or uncertainty, similar to the decision faced by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

Personification: Frost personifies the maple tree, giving it human-like qualities such as the ability to feel pain and the capacity for memory. This adds to the emotional impact of the poem and helps to humanize the tree.

Overall, the use of these literary tools helps to create a rich and evocative picture of the scene, while also conveying deeper themes about the relationship between humans and nature and the transience of all things.

"Maple" is a poem that follows a strict rhyme scheme and meter.

The rhyme scheme of the poem is AABA BBCB CCDC DDAD. This means that the first and fourth lines of each stanza rhyme with each other, while the second and third lines of each stanza have a different rhyme. This creates a sense of unity and coherence throughout the poem.

In terms of meter, "Maple" follows an iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four iambs (a metrical foot consisting of one unstressed syllable followed by one stressed syllable). This gives the poem a regular, rhythmic feel and makes it easy to read aloud.

Here's an example of the rhyme and meter in the first stanza of "Maple":

A farmer, his wife, half in despair,

A mistress passed for such, more than aware,

B Came out to the door with fagots for the day,

B But there she stopped halfway on the way

C And looked askance at something in the skies,

C Where first some flakes and then some more began to rise,

D And the Ides of March came in like a rhyme

D With skittering wild geese with a clarion prime.

As you can see, the first and fourth lines (despair/aware and day/way) rhyme with each other, while the second and third lines (aware/day and the skies/began to rise) have a different rhyme. Additionally, each line has four iambs, with the stress falling on the second syllable of each foot (faRmer, his WIFE, half in deSPAIR, etc.).