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Diciphering "Stars" by Robert Frost.?

For an english class, I have chosen to dicipher "Stars" by Robert Frost. I'm having trouble finding literary elements in it (i.e. symbolism, rheoric, connotations, etc.).

Stars

by Robert Frost

How countlessly they congregate

O'er our tumultuous snow,

Which flows in shapes as tall as trees

When wintry winds do blow! --

As if with keenness for our fate,

Our faltering few steps on

To white rest, and a place of rest

Invisible at dawn, --

And yet with neither love nor hate,

Those stars like some snow-white

Minerva's snow-white mareble eyes

Without the gift of sight.

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

1 Answer

Relevance
  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Here are some things to look at: first, notice which lines rhyme -- Frost is following a pattern where two lines in every stanza rhyme, but two lines don't rhyme. How does this pattern fit the subject? How are stars and snow alike? How do they have patterns and also not have patterns?

    Also notice the reference to Minerva -- the goddess of wisdom. It sounds like a clear reference to Astrology -- the stars "see" without seeing -- they are constant, always there, invisible at dawn yet still there. While on the ground, on Earth, humans take faltering steps, the ground and snow are "tumultuous". It's as if the poet is saying that life is fragile and short, while the stars are immortal, unwavering, without love or hate. To me, it sounds like the poet is sayin: "the stars watch our fate, but they do not guide or influence our fragile existence." There is a lot more to find in this poem, but this should help give you a start. Also look at the descriptions of trees and weather on the ground in comparison to the "weather" surrounding the stars. There is plenty of symbolism to analyze for your school report.

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