Acquainted with the night- Robert Frost
WRITTEN TEXT
ACQUAINTED WITH THE NIGHT
BY: JAMES GRASSO
MRS RODRIGUEZ
Acquainted with the Night 1928, Poem, Robert Frost, United States of America
A) What ideas about Belonging does this text relay to the responder?
The poem Acquainted with the night by Robert Frost centres on a man who does not belong to society despite being in a city which paradoxically is an overcrowded place.
Traditionally a sense of belonging is experienced by interacting with other people in a community. However, in Frost’s poem, the persona’s dark mental state restricts him from making this connection. Frost elected to set this poem during the night which serves as a metaphor for his depression, shame and guilt. The night conceals his true identity to symbolise he does not belong within society. This is exemplified in the third stanza “I have outwalked the furthest city light.” In the line it is apparent that the city light is symbolic for hope, which the persona has evidently lost through his depression. In addition, the persona’s dark mentality keeps him segregated from a society where he does not belong.
The poem depicts belonging as an essential aspect for every individual, however, societal acceptance is vital. This is evident in the third stanza “far away an interrupted cry.” The persona’s solitude is temporarily hindered as he believed the cry was intended for him. However, the climax instantaneously halts in the fourth stanza when the persona realises the sad truth that the call was not proposed for him. This is highlighted in the line “but not to call me back or say good-bye”, which further enhances his depression, desolation and aloneness. The physical distance is metaphoric for the persona’s emotional distance where even the slightest hope from a cry becomes disappointing. This notion conjures the thought that he does not belong within contemporary society.
B) How has the composer relayed their ideas about
ACQUAINTED WITH THE NIGHT
BY: JAMES GRASSO
MRS RODRIGUEZ
Acquainted with the Night 1928, Poem, Robert Frost, United States of America
A) What ideas about Belonging does this text relay to the responder?
The poem Acquainted with the night by Robert Frost centres on a man who does not belong to society despite being in a city which paradoxically is an overcrowded place.
Traditionally a sense of belonging is experienced by interacting with other people in a community. However, in Frost’s poem, the persona’s dark mental state restricts him from making this connection. Frost elected to set this poem during the night which serves as a metaphor for his depression, shame and guilt. The night conceals his true identity to symbolise he does not belong within society. This is exemplified in the third stanza “I have outwalked the furthest city light.” In the line it is apparent that the city light is symbolic for hope, which the persona has evidently lost through his depression. In addition, the persona’s dark mentality keeps him segregated from a society where he does not belong.
The poem depicts belonging as an essential aspect for every individual, however, societal acceptance is vital. This is evident in the third stanza “far away an interrupted cry.” The persona’s solitude is temporarily hindered as he believed the cry was intended for him. However, the climax instantaneously halts in the fourth stanza when the persona realises the sad truth that the call was not proposed for him. This is highlighted in the line “but not to call me back or say good-bye”, which further enhances his depression, desolation and aloneness. The physical distance is metaphoric for the persona’s emotional distance where even the slightest hope from a cry becomes disappointing. This notion conjures the thought that he does not belong within contemporary society.
B) How has the composer relayed their ideas about