MENDING WALL

ROBERT FROST
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON
ROBERT FROST:

 Robert Frost (1874-1963) was a renowned American

poet known for his rural themes and accessible
language.

 He received four Pulitzer Prizes for poetry during his

lifetime.

 Frost's works often explore themes of nature, human

relationships, and the complexities of life.
 OVERVIEW
 "Mending Wall" involves two neighbours
who meet annually to repair a stone wall
that separates their properties.

 The speaker farms apple trees and his

neigbour farms pine trees,

 The poem is set in a rural landscape during

the spring season.

 The speaker is questioning the way things

have always been done, while the
neighbour is traditional and steadfast in his
beliefs.
 THEMES
a) Boundaries and Separation:

 The physical wall symbolizes not only

separation between farms, but also
emotional barriers between individuals.

b) Tradition and Ritual:

 The annual act of mending the wall

reflects the continuing of tradition,
regardless of its necessity.

c) Nature vs. Human

 The poem contrasts the forces of nature

with man-made structures.
 TONE AND MOOD

 The speaker's tone is reflective,

questioning, and somewhat
critical of the wall's purpose.

 The mood is contemplative

(thoughtful) and evokes feelings
of curiosity and introspection
(inward thinking).
 QUESTIONS

1. What are the causes of the wall breaking down (lines 1 – 9)?
2. Is it easy to repair the wall? Quote to support your answer (lines 17 – 20).
3. Explain the significance of line 23 being the middle line of the poem.
4. Explain the speaker’s argument about the wall in lines 24 – 26 in your
own words.
5. Why does the neighbour think a wall is necessary?
6. What do you think walls can keep in or keep out? When is a wall
necessary? Do walls offend people sometimes? (lines 33 – 34)
7. Explain two possible meanings of the word “darkness” in line 41.
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