By Robert Frost Background The Sound of Trees

By: Robert Frost

Background � � The Sound of Trees was originally part of his first American publication Mountain interval. written in 1916 Was intended to show his desire of him wanting to go away but cannot It’s heavy on nature’s influence and symbolism

Summary � The poem talks about the speaker being annoyed and disturbed by the sound of the trees and its rustling leaves. He finds out that the trees are related to himself and ends up not feeling as judgmental or a bother to as much anymore. Soon he will be leave but the trees will remain.

Criticism analysis � In the criticism, it explains how Robert Frost explains that the trees are a bother to him and how he cannot withstand them. Then he compares himself to the trees and what problems they represent such as death. With him needing to leave and relating to death he notices that he needs to let the past that he has associated with death to go.

Literary devices � � � Allegory- the story has a symbolic meaning by relating the trees to death or past experiences in his life. Foreshadowing (lines 24 -25) because those past experiences will be there no matter what and will always be a burden to him. Paradox - he contradicts himself because he explains in (lines 15 -18) that he is now relating to the trees and has a different perspective on them

Own Interpretation � Frost uses the trees as a symbol of society. They compare to society by being disruptive and therefore irritates Frost heavily due to the noisy attributes of the leaves. He then realizes how much he actually relates to the trees, and Frost seems to become more sympathetic because how he notices how the trees grow older and wiser, the more older they become, the more beauty they resemble. Based on this, he as well becomes wiser and sees how they should remain there, due to the fact that with the older they become the more meaningful the tree is. Also, he recognizes that he will not be there to see a change in society because of his departure.

Meanings � � “We suffer them by day Till we lose all measure of pace, And fixity in our joys, And acquire a listening air” This means that we experience problems constantly and we try to fix them but nothing can console us. “And that talks no less for knowing, As it grows wiser and older, That now means to stay” This refers to not be quick to criticize society (the trees), or something uncertain of.

Continued � � “My feet tug at the floor and my head sways to my shoulder. Sometimes when I watch trees sway, from the window or the door” he explains that he acknowledges the true meaning for the trees and what they mean to him as well. “I shall have less to say, But I shall be gone” This suggests that he relates to death and the fact that he needs to leave and can no longer be able to be close to the trees and see them further grow.