Contents
1. Introduction
2. “Mending Wall” as a claim to build walls
3. Criticism of building walls
4. Conclusion
5. Bibliography
Introduction
Robert Frost is quite interesting modern poet who is characterized by works which are really thought provoking and discussable. In the same time, some of his works are quite arguable and often are interpreted in different ways. One of such works is his poem “Mending Wall”, where the author reveals how neighbours regularly rebuild the wall but, on reading the poem, an inevitable question arises whether the author supports the idea of building walls or he is against it. Different critics suggests different interpretation, for instance George Montiero is rather for building walls interpretation, but it is really quite a doubtful view since what the narrator says and what he implies basically contradicts to what he actually does.
“Mending Wall” as a claim to build walls
First of all it should be said that it is really quite difficult to definitely say what idea the author really wants to convey to a reader because some points are really controversial. Not surprisingly that some critics stands on the ground that the poet is rather for building walls. Among such critics may be named George Monteiro who argues that the author quite skilfully hints that walls are essential for human beings and it is quite natural for them to build and repair them.
Basically the critic develops his ideas on the analysis of the last lines, which really possess great potential and are very significant:
…I see him there,
Bringing a stone grasp firmly by the top
In each hand, like an old-stone savage armed.
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 neighbours”
In fact he considers such a reference to the past very important and mainly he based his argument on the...