Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost
Robert Frost is the writer of the poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” He was an American poet born on March 26, 1874, in San Francisco, California. Frost is considered one of the most renowned and critically acclaimed poets of the 20th century. His works often explore rural life, nature, and the complexities of the human experience.
Frost’s writing style is characterized by its simplicity, clarity, and use of everyday language. He often employed vivid imagery and symbolism to convey deeper meanings and themes. His poems often reflect a contemplative and introspective tone, exploring themes of nature, isolation, choices, and the struggle between responsibilities and desires.
Frost received numerous honors and awards throughout his lifetime, including four Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry. Some of his other notable works include “The Road Not Taken,” “Mending Wall,” and “Birches.” Robert Frost passed away on January 29, 1963, in Boston, Massachusetts, leaving behind a significant literary legacy.
About the Poem
The renowned poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” was penned by Robert Frost in the year 1922 and initially appeared in the collection titled “New Hampshire.” Comprising a total of 16 lines, the poem is structured into four stanzas. Its rhyme scheme follows the pattern of AABA BBCB CCDC DDDD.
Within the poem, Frost employs the metaphor of a journey to represent human life. The speaker assumes the role of a traveller who must reach his intended destination before taking a pause. However, his attention becomes diverted by the transient allure of the surrounding woods. The presence of the horse serves as a reminder of the obligations and commitments the speaker has in life. This prompts the speaker to recognize the necessity of fulfilling numerous responsibilities prior to the eventual conclusion of his existence.
Glossary of the Poem
Flake /fleɪk/ (n.) – A small, thin piece or fragment of something, often referring to snowflakes.
Harness /ˈhɑːrnɪs/ (n.) – A set of straps and fittings used to control and guide animals, such as horses, by attaching it to a vehicle or carriage.
Miles /maɪlz/ (n.) – A unit of distance equal to 5,280 feet or approximately 1.609 kilometers.
Promises /ˈprɒmɪsɪz/ (n.) – Plural form of “promise,” which refers to a declaration or assurance that one will do something or that something will happen.
Queer /kwɪər/ (adj.) – Strange, odd, or unusual.
Shake /ʃeɪk/ (v.) – To move or cause to move rapidly or vigorously with a back-and-forth motion.
Sweep /swiːp/ (n.) – The act of cleaning or clearing a surface with a broom or brush.
Woods /wʊdz/ (n.) – Plural form of “wood,” referring to a dense area of trees and foliage.
Stanza-Wise Summary of the Poem
Stanza 1
Whose woods these ______________ fill up with snow.
One evening the speaker stops by the woods for some time on his way. He knows the owner of the woods and even where he lives. He is enjoying his moment in solitude and is a bit relaxed thinking that the owner cannot see him immersed in the beauty of his snow-covered woods. The incomparable beauty has enchanted him. He stopped there for some time to watch the snowfall in the forest.
Stanza 2
My little horse ________________ evening of the year.
The speaker thinks that his little horse must be finding it strange as he has stopped so far from any civilization. There is no farmhouse close by. They are surrounded by the forest and a frozen lake in the darkest evening of the year. The lines indicate that the speaker is a humble person and they probably spend a lot of time together. Though the horse cannot utter a word the speaker can feel its emotions.
Stanza 3
He gives his harness ______________ wind and downy flake.
The speaker knows that the horse is shaking the bells attached to his harness to ask his master if there is any problem, as it is unusual for him to stop by the woods in the darkness. The only other sound that the speaker can hear beyond the harness bells’ ringing is the sweeping noise coming from the slight wind and the softly falling snow.
Stanza 4
The woods are lovely ______________ go before I sleep.
The speaker describes the woods as beautiful, dark and deep. He is enjoying the beauty of the place and wishes to stay longer there. However, he has other responsibilities to be fulfilled so he cannot stay there. Before he sleeps, he has to go miles. He will be reminded of this glorious view of nature again and again.
Exercise of Stopping by Woods on A Snowy Evening
A. Find the words from the text that match the following meanings.
- an area of trees, smaller than a forest – woods
- strange or unusual – queer
- the main house on a farm, usually where the farmer lives- farmhouse
- a set of leather and metal pieces that are put around the body of a horse – harness
- movement of the air – wind
- covered in something very soft – downy
B. Choose the correct answer.
a. Why does the speaker stop while on the journey?
- to watch the woods filled up with snow
- to find food for his or her horse
- to say hello to the owner of the woods
- to go skating on a frozen lake
Answer:
to watch the woods filled up with snow
b. What is the setting of the poem?
- the woods on a bright, snowy afternoon
- a village on a dark, snowy evening
- iii. a frozen lake on a bright, snowy afternoon
- the woods on a dark, snowy evening
Answer:
the woods on a dark, snowy evening
c. Which one of the following statements is true?
- The woods are far away from the village.
- The woods are near some houses.
- The owner of the woods and the speaker are friends.
- The speaker of the poem does not like the owner of the woods.
Answer:
The woods are far away from the village.
d. How did the horse respond when the speaker stopped there?
- stood calm
- did nothing
- shook its harness
- asked the speaker a question
Answer:
shook its harness
e. What does ‘miles to go before I sleep’ mean?
- The speaker feels tired and sleepy.
- The speaker has lots of desires to fulfill.
- The speaker has lots of responsibilities to fulfill.
- The speaker has a long distance to travel.
Answer:
The speaker has lots of responsibilities to fulfill.
C. Fill in the gaps with appropriate words from the box to complete the summary of the poem.
journey
traveller
destination
woods
promises
responsibilities
Summary of Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
The poet compares human life with a……journey…. The speaker of the poem is a…… traveller…… He has to reach his ……destination…before taking a rest. However, he is distracted by the momentary pleasure in the form of……the woods... His companion, the horse, reminds him of his ……promises…….in life. The speaker realizes that he has to fulfil many responsibilities before his……death……… Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
Grammar II
A. Use the correct form of verbs given in the brackets to complete the sentences.
a. As per the schedule, the train…………(leave) at 3 o’clock
Answer:
is leaving
b. Look, that aeroplane is looking shaky! It………(crash).
Answer:
is going to crash
c. My daughter says she……(be) a doctor when she grows old.
Answer:
will be
d. Tomorrow ……………(be) a sunny day, according to the weather forecast.
Answer:
will be
A: What………(do) tomorrow evening?
B: Nothing special. I think I ……………(stay) at home.
Answer:
are you doing
will stay
e. It’s very stuffy here. Don’t worry, I………(open) the windows for you.
Answer:
will open
f. Ann is driving. There is very little gas left in the tank. The nearest gas station is a long way from here. She ……(run) out of gas.
Answer:
is going to run
g. There is a hole in the bottom of the boat. It is filling up with water quickly. It……………(sink).
Answer:
is going to sink
Writing II
A. Write a letter to your friend describing your travel plans for your upcoming holidays. Include the following points in your letter.
Where do you plan to go?
Who will you go with?
Where will you stay?
How long will you stay?
What are you going to see?
Lalitpur 14, Nakhipot
June 4, 2023
Dear [Friend’s Name],
I’m thrilled to share my holiday plans with you! I’ll be heading to Tuscany, Italy with my family. We’ve booked a lovely villa nestled in the countryside for a two-week stay. Our itinerary includes exploring Florence, Siena, and Pisa, soaking in the rich history, and marveling at the stunning architecture. We’ll also visit the charming hilltop towns, sip fine wines in the Chianti region, and indulge in delicious Tuscan cuisine. I can’t wait to create lasting memories in this picturesque destination. I’ll be sure to share photos and stories when I return. Stay well and take care!
Warm regards,
[Your Name]