Poem Analysis: Mending Wall

The title, “Mending Wall” in a way contradicts itself, to mend is to repair something, while a wall is a barrier; which the speaker is not willing to admit is a dilemma. The poem begins rather serene introducing the area, which the wall was built for. The speaker claims the need for the wall is to keep the rabbits out, please the dogs and his neighbor. The wall could symbolize a barrier which the speaker does not feel he can get past, for fear of the others reaction, or his own fear. In contrast; the neighbor who claims “Good fences make good neighbors”, following the philosophy of his father could be subconsciously justification his desire for his isolation and physical barriers. Halfway through the poem, the speaker admits his true solicitude;