Analysis of Robert Frost’s Poem Acquainted with The Night

Robert Frost’s poetry style associated with a more traditional approach to expressing himself through his work. How Acquainted with the Night was written was in the iambic pentameter and Italian format which consisted of at least 1-2 vowels in each ending sentences’ word. This poem would make a perfect example of how Frost felt in his whole life. When the narrator expresses “the night”, what it really means is his own synonym for depression, which Frost felt on a daily basis. His view on life itself was not a pleasant one in which he had to overcome constant hardships. Each stanza was like a shade of blue that got darker and darker until line 8 which suddenly lifted a tint on the emotional feeling that the narrator was trying to convey. Symbolically, it felt like the narrator was trying to say, it’s not always going to be this way. Eventually a silver lining can be generated over time no matter how big the burden. The last line of the poem I believe is clearly stating, that this sad feeling does not stay permanent.

The manner in which the poem’s tone develops is like a rain cloud getting darker and darker but then all of a sudden before it starts to rain, the sun shines again instead. The first half was a transition of catharsis that gives the reader pity as they progress through the poem. During the phase of catharsis, the poems diction really shows a combination of several literary elements that put emphasis on each word. On line 6, the diction reveals the narrator is in a state of shock. Another common feeling that Frost felt when he kept losing his relatives left and right out of the blue. This line in particular was almost as if he was crying for help involuntarily. It was putting the reader in a perspective to understand what he felt about his life in the state that he was in at this time in which this was written. I guess you could also say that the poem was blue out of the blue, which ironically is exactly how it seemed to play out. As for the rhythm, the first 3 stanzas frequently used the word “I”, like its whole premise was revolved around its narrator like a passive sarcasm that emotional affects its context in a consistent pattern on what “I” necessarily represented in both a dark and then light outcome. The poems climax that was building up really took an unexpected turn, you would think that as the melancholy would worsen but really it all led up to a happy ending in the long run. Another technique that was used was dramatic monologue. The entire time, the narrator was really telling the reader about himself and how he felt about his own life but in a brief explanation in this case. Normally this is what you would expect from the use of this technique like a brief life story alongside its sad tone. 

In conclusion, the poem is very adaptable to each generation that will read it. This kind of theme and tone will always be relevant to humans who are going through similar circumstances, and a piece of literary art like this is a perfect example on how someone can cope with their own feelings by relating themselves to the narrator of the poem. Really it seems almost impossible for there not to be an audience who can use this poem for one’s own good, because they will always be people who can be in a depressing state of mind. Something like this can soften the blow to help a person who is reading it get a brighter perspective on life itself. This also does not just apply for people who are depressed, but for really anyone who appreciates the psychological help that this poem can convey to a person. What I mean in short is that really, this poem can be for just anybody. The way someone can read a poem in a certain context can open the persons eyes and teach them more than they realize. It all really depends on the reader and how they absorb its artistic essence. What it can tell the reader is that life is not all bad, and that there is always hope, which is a very important lesson for people to learn. In any given situation, you must show optimism no matter how dire the circumstances may be. Ultimately it can teach its readers to also remain calm whenever they are in a pinch. 

References

• Wikipedia contributors. 'Acquainted with the Night.' Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 25 Sep. 2019. Web. 3 Oct. 2019.