In the poem Birches by Robert Frost, Frost portrays the images of a child growing to adulthood through the symbolism of aging birch trees. Through these images readers are able to see the reality of the real world compared to there carefree childhood. The image of life through tribulation is the main focal point of the poem and the second point of the poem is if one could revert back to the simpler times of childhood. The language of the poem is entirely arranged through images, although it contains some diction it lacks sound devices, metaphors, and similes compared to other published works by Frost.
“When I see birches bend to left and right Across the lines of straighter darker trees, I like to think some boys been swinging them.” Childhood is represented when the branches swing Frost thinks there is a boy swinging on them. Adulthood is represented by straighter darker trees because darker is a reference to older trees just by the nature of the color as compared to a birch tree which is white or light in color. “But swinging doesnt bend them down to stay. Ice storms do. Often you must have seen them Loaded with ice a sunny winter morning. After a rain. They click upon themselves As the breeze rises, and turn many-colored As the stir cracks and crazes their enamel.” The ice storms symbolize the difficult times in life or the coming of age through time and weathering just like a person. The word loaded describes about the burden of being old compared to youthfulness just like the burden of the ice on the trees. Shattering and avalanching on the snow such heaps of broken glass to be swept away is a representation of the final stage in life and that is death. The shattering of the branches is like the death of a person and the sweeping away of the branches is like a funeral. Youd think the inner dome of heaven had fallen is the passing on of life into the after life. Also the shattering of the ice could represent renewed hope for the future because the burden has been lifted from the branches. “They are dragged to the withered bracken by the load, And they seem not to break; though once they are bowed is an image of someone who has aged but not passed on yet. So low for long, they never right themselves represents how they will never be able to relive their childhood.
In Robert Frost’s poem "Birches," the poet utilizes the symbolism of aging birch trees to depict the journey from childhood to adulthood. Through these images, Frost offers readers a glimpse into the harsh realities of the real world in contrast to the carefree nature of childhood. The poem’s central focus is on the idea of life’s trials and tribulations, while also exploring the desire to return to the simplicity of youth.
The language of the poem is primarily structured through vivid imagery, with minimal employment of sound devices, metaphors, and similes, which distinguishes it from Frost’s other published works. This deliberate choice allows the imagery to take center stage, painting a clear picture of the themes and emotions being conveyed.
The opening lines, "When I see birches bend to left and right / Across the lines of straighter darker trees, / I like to think some boy’s been swinging them," evoke a sense of nostalgia for childhood. The swaying branches represent the playful activities of children, while the straight and dark trees symbolize the seriousness and heaviness of adulthood. The contrasting imagery highlights the loss of innocence and freedom that comes with growing up.
Frost further explores the concept of aging and the burdens it brings through the metaphor of ice storms. He describes how these storms, rather than the swinging of the branches, bend the birch trees permanently. This symbolizes the hardships and challenges one faces throughout life, which shape and mold individuals as they age. The word "loaded" emphasizes the weight and responsibility that comes with maturity, paralleling the burden of ice on the trees.
The poet’s use of language in phrases like "shattering and avalanching on the snow such heaps of broken glass to be swept away" vividly portrays the final stage of life, death. The shattering branches represent the end of a person’s life, while the act of sweeping them away symbolizes a funeral. The line "You’d think the inner dome of heaven had fallen" suggests the passing on of life into the afterlife, highlighting the cyclical nature of existence.
However, amidst the somber imagery, Frost introduces a glimmer of hope. The shattering of the ice could be interpreted as a metaphor for renewed optimism for the future, as the burden has been lifted from the branches. This suggests that even in the face of life’s difficulties, there is always the potential for a fresh start.
The poem concludes with the line "So low for long, they never right themselves," which emphasizes that once one has aged, they can never fully return to the carefree days of their youth. This serves as a reminder of the irreversible passage of time and the fleeting nature of childhood.
Overall, Frost’s "Birches" is a poignant exploration of the transition from childhood to adulthood, using the symbolism of birch trees to convey the realities and complexities of life. Through rich imagery and careful language choices, the poem invites readers to reflect on their own experiences of growth and the longing for the simplicity of youth.