Wild Grapes by Robert Frost (Analysis)

 

Wild Grapes

by Robert Frost

(Analysis) 

- Wild Grapes by Robert Frost (Poem & Summary)

- Wild Grapes by Robert Frost (Analysis)

"Wild Grapes" is a thought-provoking poem that delves into themes of identity, self-reflection, and the complexities of personal history. The speaker contemplates their own existence and the various experiences that have shaped their understanding of themselves and the world around them.

The poem begins with a series of rhetorical questions: "What tree may not the fig be gathered from? / The grape may not be gathered from the birch?" These questions suggest that there are inherent limitations and boundaries in life. The speaker questions the possibility of extracting one thing from another that is fundamentally different. This serves as a metaphor for the search for identity and the understanding that one's true essence cannot be separated from their origins.

The speaker then asserts their personal knowledge and experience: "It's all you know the grape, or know the birch." They claim to have a deep understanding of both the grape and the birch tree, emphasizing their connection to the natural world.

The speaker reveals that they were once a "girl gathered from the birch myself," indicating a personal history rooted in nature. They describe themselves as a "little boyish girl" who could not always be confined at home. This implies a sense of curiosity and exploration that goes beyond societal expectations and gender roles.

However, the speaker's carefree beginnings are overshadowed by fear. They recall a specific event when they were "swung suspended with the grapes" and were pursued like Eurydice, a figure from Greek mythology. This suggests a moment of vulnerability and danger, where their innocence was threatened. Nevertheless, they were ultimately rescued and brought back to safety from the "upper regions."

The poem concludes with the speaker reflecting on their present existence as an "extra life." They have the freedom to live as they please, wasting it on whomever they choose. This sense of liberation and self-determination is emphasized through the celebration of two birthdays, indicating a multiplicity of identities and a refusal to be confined by conventional notions of age.

The final lines revisit the earlier questions, asserting that just as the fig cannot be gathered from any tree, and the grape cannot be gathered from the birch, the speaker's true essence and understanding cannot be easily defined or limited. Their personal history and experiences have shaped them into a complex individual who defies categorization.

In "Wild Grapes," Robert Frost explores the intricate relationship between personal history, identity, and the human experience. The poem encourages readers to reflect on their own journey of self-discovery and the multifaceted nature of their own identities.

Analysis

What tree may not the fig be gathered from?

……………………………………………………………………

One of them five years younger than I look-

These lines are from the poem "Wild Grapes" by Robert Frost. The speaker reflects on their personal history, experiences, and the complex nature of their identity.

The opening lines, "What tree may not the fig be gathered from? / The grape may not be gathered from the birch?" pose rhetorical questions that imply certain things are inherently linked and cannot be separated. This sets the stage for the speaker's exploration of their own identity and understanding of the world.

The speaker then states, "It's all you know the grape, or know the birch." This line suggests that the speaker has a deep knowledge and understanding of both the grape and the birch tree, possibly symbolizing their connection to nature and their own personal history.

The speaker describes themselves as "a girl gathered from the birch" who, in one autumn, gathered grapes equal to their own weight. This imagery highlights the speaker's association with nature and their ability to engage with it intimately. The mention of autumn suggests a season of abundance and harvest, symbolizing the fruitful experiences and memories they have accumulated.

The speaker asserts that, based on their personal experiences, they should know what tree the grape is fruit of. This statement emphasizes their belief in the significance of their own life experiences and the understanding they have gained from them.

The speaker reflects on their own birth and childhood, stating that they grew up as a "little boyish girl" whom their brother could not always leave at home. This line implies that the speaker was a tomboyish child who enjoyed exploring and defying traditional gender roles.

However, the speaker's carefree beginning is marred by fear. They recall a specific incident when they were "swung suspended with the grapes," evoking a sense of vulnerability and danger. The mention of being pursued like Eurydice, a figure from Greek mythology, adds an additional layer of symbolism, suggesting a descent into the realm of darkness and fear.

Despite the fear, the speaker was ultimately brought down safely from the "upper regions." This implies a sense of rescue or salvation, preserving the speaker's innocence and allowing them to continue their life journey.

The speaker describes their present life as an "extra life" that they can waste as they please. This line suggests a sense of freedom and autonomy, indicating that the speaker has the ability to make their own choices and live life on their own terms.

The poem concludes with the speaker mentioning the celebration of two birthdays and presenting themselves as being of two different ages. This emphasizes the speaker's multifaceted nature and refusal to be confined by societal expectations or conventional notions of age.

Overall, these lines in "Wild Grapes" explore themes of personal history, self-discovery, and the complexities of identity. The speaker's reflections on their past experiences and their understanding of the world highlight the unique journey they have undertaken to become who they are.

One day my brother led me to a glade

………………………………………………………………..

And promise more resistance to the picker.'

These lines are from the poem "Wild Grapes" by Robert Frost. The speaker recounts a childhood memory of being led by their brother to a glade where they encounter a white birch tree adorned with grapes. Here's an analysis of these lines:

The speaker's brother takes them to a glade where they find a white birch tree standing alone. The birch is described as wearing a thin head-dress of pointed leaves, with grapes hanging heavily on her hair behind, creating an ornament. The imagery portrays the natural beauty and allure of the tree and its fruit.

The speaker recalls having seen grapes the previous year and now sees bunches growing in the white birches surrounding them. The reference to Leif the Lucky's German and the way grapes grew around him suggests a mythical or legendary context, enhancing the sense of wonder and discovery.

The speaker's brother climbs the tree and throws down grapes for the speaker to find, giving him time to eat. However, to make the speaker self-sufficient, the brother climbs even higher, bends the tree to the ground, and puts it in the speaker's hands to pick their own grapes. This scene portrays the brother's care and the collaborative effort to enable the speaker to enjoy the grapes.

The speaker realizes that they cannot let go of the tree; it has caught hold of them. The tree's strength and grip symbolize the speaker's entanglement with the world and their determination to hold on to life's experiences.

While the brother urges the speaker to let go, the speaker holds on tightly, drawing on an ancestral instinct acquired from wild mothers who hung babies out on tree branches. This emphasizes the speaker's resilience and adaptability, suggesting a connection to the natural world and the survival instincts passed down through generations.

As the brother tries to make the speaker laugh and assures them that a few grapes won't harm, the speaker reflects on their reduced state and adopts a philosophy of acceptance and resilience. They draw a parallel between themselves and the fox-grapes, highlighting the shared struggle to grow and survive in unexpected places.

The brother suggests that the advantage the speaker has over the grapes is their ability to cling to one more stem and offer more resistance to the picker. This statement hints at the speaker's resilience and determination to withstand life's challenges and obstacles.

These lines capture a moment of childhood exploration, resilience, and connection with nature. The speaker's experience with the tree and the grapes becomes a metaphorical reflection on the human condition, resilience, and the interconnectedness of life's experiences.

One by one I lost off my hat and shoes,

…………………………………………………………….

Be run off with by birch trees into space.'

These lines continue the narrative of the speaker's experience in the birch tree, focusing on their struggle to let go and their eventual return to the ground. Here's an analysis of these lines:

The speaker describes gradually losing their hat and shoes one by one, but they continue to cling to the tree. They let their head fall back, close their eyes against the sun, and block out their brother's words. This suggests a surrender to the experience, focusing inward and disconnecting from the external distractions.

The brother urges the speaker to drop, promising to catch them in his arms, assuring that it isn't far. The brother's words are described as "nonsense," implying that the speaker is no longer paying attention to his pleas. The speaker remains silent, sinking lower on the tree, with their small wrists stretched, resembling the strings of a banjo.

The brother threatens to shake the tree to make the speaker drop, but the speaker remains grimly silent, their wrists straining. The brother realizes that the speaker is serious about not letting go and suggests bending the tree down to facilitate their descent. The speaker is unsure of the process of being let down, but they eventually feel the ground with their stocking feet and the world comes back to them, implying a sense of reconnection with reality.

The speaker reflects on their curled-up fingers and takes a moment to straighten them and brush off the bark, indicating a reorientation to their physical self and surroundings. The brother remarks on the speaker's weight, suggesting that if they had weighed themselves down, they wouldn't have been carried away by the birch tree into space.

These lines depict the speaker's determination to hold on to the birch tree despite the brother's insistence on letting go. The speaker's refusal to drop and their eventual return to the ground demonstrate their resilience and inner strength. The brother's commentary about weighing something suggests the need to have a grounding force or a sense of solidity to prevent being carried away by life's challenges and uncertainties.

The scene captures the tension between the speaker's desire to explore and experience the world and their need for safety and stability. It also highlights the complex dynamics between siblings, with the brother oscillating between encouragement and concern for the speaker's well-being.

Overall, these lines portray the speaker's struggle to let go, their return to reality, and the brother's commentary on the importance of finding balance between adventurousness and stability.

It wasn't my not weighing anything

………………………………………………………………

That I need learn to let go with the heart.

In these lines, the speaker reflects on their lack of knowledge and understanding, particularly in relation to the concept of letting go. Here's an analysis of these lines:

The speaker acknowledges that it wasn't their lack of physical weight that prevented them from letting go, but rather their lack of knowledge and understanding. They suggest that their brother had been closer to the truth in his previous remarks. This implies that the brother may have had a better grasp of the situation or had some insight that the speaker lacked.

The speaker admits that they had not taken the first step in acquiring knowledge or understanding. They specifically mention not having learned to let go with their hands, and by extension, their heart. This suggests a hesitation or resistance to releasing attachments or surrendering control, both physically and emotionally.

The speaker acknowledges that they still haven't learned to let go with their heart, and they have no desire or perceived necessity to do so. They emphasize the distinction between the mind and the heart, suggesting that the mind is not synonymous with the heart and that different aspects of their being operate independently.

The speaker speculates on the possibility of living a life like others, wishing in vain to let go with the mind, particularly to release worries and find restful sleep. However, they assert that nothing indicates a need to learn to let go with the heart. This statement implies that the speaker sees no inherent value or purpose in relinquishing emotional attachments or surrendering their heart's desires.

These lines convey the speaker's resistance to letting go, both intellectually and emotionally. They question the necessity of releasing attachments and assert that they have no wish or need to do so. The distinction between the mind and the heart suggests a complex understanding of human nature and the role of emotions in decision-making and life experiences.

The speaker's reflection on their lack of knowledge and their resistance to letting go implies a certain level of contentment or acceptance with their current state. They seem to reject the notion that letting go with the heart is essential for personal growth or fulfillment.

Overall, these lines delve into the speaker's perspective on knowledge, letting go, and the distinction between the mind and the heart. They highlight the speaker's resistance to releasing attachments and emphasize the individuality and autonomy of different aspects of their being.