462 Frost, Robert
turned out to be a bad idea, because the man drank
and Franklin was the only one caring for the busi-
ness. Franklin eventually bought him out. Another
potential partner rejected Franklin’s proposal with
scorn, which was good, because he lived above his
means and soon ran his business into the ground.
Another example of the negative aspects of work
is developed through Franklin’s descriptions of other
printers. He described his former boss Keimer as a
compositor, not a pressman. Eventually Keimer sold
his printing house to pay his debtors. Franklin labels
Bradford, another printer, illiterate and not bred to
the work. Bradford, who was also the postmaster for
a time, refused to send Franklin’s papers by the post
and Franklin had to resort to bribing the carriers.
Franklin details the positive aspects of work
by describing his own experience as an employer.
Franklin was not only industrious, but he rewarded
his employees who showed industry as well. He
promoted these workers, sending them throughout
the colonies in joint ventures. Due to their own dili-
gence, they were often able to buy Franklin out, thus
becoming the sole proprietors of their own printing
houses.
In a clear development of the theme of work,
Franklin says that not only was he a hard worker, but
he also made this obvious to those around him by
not engaging in leisure pursuits other than reading,
which was a part of his business. He states that since
industry, together with frugality, enabled him to pay
off his debts and acquire his fortune, anyone who
wants to be a businessman should follow his model.
Suanna H. Davis
FroST, robErT poems (1874–1963)
Robert Frost is one of the most important American
poets of the 20th century. His poems, many of which
chronicle the day-to-day tasks related to country
living, are reminiscent of a quieter, simpler time in
history. Though he wrote poetry the average man
could relate to and understand, Frost’s work can-
not be considered simplistic. In fact, many readers
have discovered profound, symbolic meanings deep
within his words.
Portraying both the joys and hardships of rural
life, Frost paid careful attention to rhyming pat-
terns and diction. Not only could the average reader
understand his works, but also they were especially
appreciated when read aloud. His poems are full of
imagery, as he paints vivid pictures of stages of
life, nature, isolation, and work.
Frost was no stranger to hardship. Born in 1874,
he studied at Harvard and Dartmouth but never
earned a degree, and worked a number of odd jobs
before becoming an unsuccessful farmer and eventu-
ally a teacher. His later years were marked by tragedy.
Three of his children passed away, including one
son who committed suicide. Additionally, one of
his daughters suffered from mental illness. In spite
or perhaps because of these tragedies, he remained
a productive poet, receiving honorary degrees and
accolades during his lifetime, including the honor
of reading one of his poems at the inauguration of
President John F. Kennedy. He died in 1963.
Though he composed poems throughout his
adult life, it is his earlier works which are most
familiar. Ultimately, it is the accessibility of Frost’s
poetry—that he wrote with the common man in
mind—that will continue to keep him one of the
best-loved poets of his generation.
Erin BresciaiSolation in the poetry of Robert Frost
Isolation is frequently alluded to in many of Rob-
ert Frost’s poems. In some, it is something to be
enjoyed, or even savored, while in others it is con-
sidered unnatural and unnecessary.
In his poem, “Mending Wall,” two neighbors
make their yearly trip to the wall that joins their
property in order to make improvements. Between
the elements and hunters, the wall becomes dam-
aged over each year. The narrator gives no indica-
tion that he and his neighbor spend time together
aside from this project, but every year they “meet
to walk the line and set the wall between us once
again” (l. 13–14).
The narrator is not entirely sure that this wall is
necessary. They have no animals between them to
wander in each other’s yards; however, his neighbor
merely replies: “good fences make good neighbors”
(l. 27). The message he sends here is that as long as
each individual keeps to himself, they will remain
friends. The narrator questions his neighbor’s phi-