- In trackless woods, it puzzled me to find
- Four great rock maples seemingly aligned,
- As if they had been set out in a row
- Before some house a century ago,
- To edge the property and lend some shade.
- I looked to see if ancient wheels had made
- Old ruts to which the trees ran parallel,
- But there were none, so far as I could tell—
- There’d been no roadway. Nor could I find the square
- Depression of a cellar anywhere,
- And so I tramped on further, to survey
- Amazing patterns in a hornbeam spray
- Or spirals in a pine cone, under trees
- Not subject to our stiff geometries.
Introduction
Richard Wilbur’s poem “In Trackless Woods” first appeared in The New Yorker magazine in 2006 and was later included in his 2008 collection, Anterooms. It explores the mysteries of nature and the human desire to impose order and meaning onto it. Despite its relatively recent publication, the poem has quickly won a place in anthologies and textbooks due to its unusual presentation of a simple theme. Wilbur’s skillful use of language, different imagery, and contemplative tone has also contributed to the enduring appeal of the poem.
Annotations of “In Trackless Woods” by Richard Wilbur
| Words, Phrases, and Clauses | Annotations |
| Trackless woods | Woods that have no visible path or track |
| Four great rock maples | Four large maple trees made of rock |
| Aligned | Arranged in a straight line |
| Set out in a row | Placed in a line |
| Century ago | A hundred years in the past |
| Edge the property | Mark the boundary of the property |
| Lend some shade | Provide shade |
| Ancient wheels | Old, no longer-in-use wheels |
| Old ruts | Grooves or tracks made by wheels over time |
| Parallel | Side by side and having the same distance between them |
| None | Not any |
| Far as I could tell | To the best of my knowledge |
| Roadway | A way for vehicles to travel |
| Square depression of a cellar | A square hole in the ground where a cellar was dug |
| Tramped on further | Continued walking |
| Survey | Examine or inspect closely |
| Amazing patterns | Fascinating designs |
| Hornbeam spray | The branch of a hornbeam tree |
| Spirals in a pine cone | Spiral shapes in the cone of a pine tree |
| Not subject to our stiff geometries | Not conforming to human-made shapes and patterns |
Literary Devices in “In Trackless Woods” by Richard Wilbur
| Literary Device | Verse | Identification, Meanings and Explanations |
| Enjambment | 3-4. As if they had been set out in a row / Before some house a century ago | Enjambment is the continuation of a sentence or clause from one line of poetry to the next. The use of enjambment in these lines emphasizes the alignment of the trees and their proximity to the house. |
| Hyperbole | 12. Amazing patterns in a hornbeam spray | The use of “amazing” is a hyperbole, an exaggerated statement used for emphasis, to describe the patterns in the hornbeam spray. |
| Imagery | 6-7. I looked to see if ancient wheels had made / Old ruts to which the trees ran parallel | The description of the trees running parallel to the old ruts and wheels is an example of visual imagery. It helps the reader to visualize the scene in the woods. |
| Metaphor | 14. Not subject to our stiff geometries | The use of “stiff geometries” as a metaphor implies the man-made structures that follow a strict geometric pattern, and how the natural shapes in the woods don’t follow this pattern. |
| Personification | 13. under trees / Not subject to our stiff geometries | The use of personification gives human qualities to the trees by implying that they reject the rigid structures imposed by humans. |
| Symbolism | 2. Four great rock maples seemingly aligned | The trees can be interpreted as a symbol of timelessness, strength, and endurance, as they stand in the woods for centuries. |
Sound and Poetic Devices in “In Trackless Woods” by Richard Wilbur
| Literary Device | Example/Reference | Meanings and Functions |
| Assonance | “puzzled me to find” (line 1, /ʌ/ and /aɪ/ sounds), “seemingly aligned” (line 2, /i/ and /i/ sounds) | Draws attention to the sound of words with the same vowel sound, creating a musical effect and emphasizing the ideas they express such as pointed out. |
| Consonance | In trackless woods, it puzzled me to find (sound of “d”) Four great rock maples seemingly aligned (sound of “m”) | Draws attention to the sound of words with the same consonant sound, creating a musical effect and emphasizing the ideas they express. |
| End Rhyme | “row” (line 3), “ago” (line 4) | Creates a musical effect and emphasizes the ideas expressed at the end of each line. |
| Rhyme Scheme | AABB and so on. | Creates a sense of order and structure within the poem. |
| Diction | “trackless woods” (line 1), “ancient wheels” (line 6) | The specific word choices create a specific mood and tone within the poem. |
| Verse Type | Blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter) | Creates a sense of natural speech and emphasizes the content of the poem over its form. |
| Stanza Type | couplets | Creates a sense of movement within the poem. |
| Poem Type | Descriptive, reflective | The poem describes a specific experience and reflects on its meaning and significance. |
| Tone | Curious, contemplative | The tone conveys the speaker’s sense of wonder and curiosity as they explore the woods, as well as their contemplative mood as they reflect on the absence of human influence in the natural world. |
Functions of Literary Devices in “In Trackless Woods” by Richard Wilbur
Function 1: Imagery Enhancement
The first function of literary devices in Richard Wilbur’s poem “In Trackless Woods” seems to have enhanced the impact of the images on the readers. For example, the use of metaphors such as “four great rock maples seemingly aligned” (line 2) and “amazing patterns in a hornbeam spray” (line 12), creates mental images in the minds of the readers. With it, the use of descriptive language such as “spirals in a pine cone” (line 13) and “not subject to our stiff geometries” (line 14) enhances the reader’s understanding of the natural world and the speaker’s observations.
Function 2: Rhythm and Meter
Another function of literary devices in this poem is to create a specific rhythm and meter. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, a poetic meter comprising ten syllables per line with the stress falling on every other syllable. This regular meter creates a musical quality in the poem and adds to its overall aesthetic appeal such as these lines show it “And so I tramped on fur-ther, to sur-vey / A-ma-zing pat-terns in a horn-beam spray.”
Function 3: Personification
Personification used in “In Trackless Woods” shows the attributing human qualities to non-human elements in the natural world. For example, in line 5, he presents the trees “edge the property and lend some shade” as if they have a deliberate purpose to be there. This use of personification adds depth to the speaker’s observations and emphasizes the importance of the natural world.
Themes in “In Trackless Woods” by Richard Wilbur
- Perplexity: Perplexity is the central theme of this poem. Specifically, the opening line, “In trackless woods, it puzzled me to find” sets very the tone of confusion and puzzlement. The readers experience this when he enters further in the poem, realizing its mystery as if it is a desert. They seem perplexed by the seemingly deliberate alignment of the four great rock maples, despite there being no obvious reason for their placement. This theme of perplexity continues throughout the poem even when the readers try to make sense of the patterns, and shapes he encounters in the natural world.
- Order and Symmetry: Despite the initial puzzlement, the readers feel that there is some order and some symmetry such as in four great rock maples, which appear to be “seemingly aligned” as if “they had been set out in a row / Before some house a century ago.” The trees suggest a human touch as if they were planted to “edge the property and lend some shade.” This theme of order and symmetry continues later in the poem as the speaker notes “amazing patterns” in a hornbeam spray and “spirals in a pine cone.” These patterns suggest a natural order and symmetry not subject to “our stiff geometries.”
- Absence: The absence of humans is another prominent theme. It is clear from the lack of human activity, such as “ancient wheels” or the “square / Depression of a cellar.” The lack of these structures contributes to the speaker’s perplexity and sense of mystery as to the absence of human beings or human-related activity. Also, the very title shows that if there is no track, it obviously means there is no human interference or intervention. This leads to unfamiliarity and confusion.
- Wonder: Despite the confusion and absence of human activity, the readers experience a sort of wonder at the patterns and shapes they encounter in the woods when they read the poem. Specifically, the observation of “amazing patterns” and “spirals” show that these shapes demand appreciation following the experience of wonderment. This appreciation does not come in handy when there is an absence of man and related activities.
Literary Theories and “In Trackless Woods” by Richard Wilbur
- Reader-Response Theory: “In Trackless Woods” by Richard Wilbur can evoke different responses from different readers depending on their, individuality, personal experiences and emotions. For instance, the opening line of the poem, “In trackless woods, it puzzled me to find” may evoke a sense of confusion or intrigue in readers, leading them to continue reading to find out what the speaker is puzzled about. Similarly, the description of the trees and their patterns in the later verses can evoke different sensory and emotional responses in readers. Ecologists may find climate change arguments, while natural lovers may find it romantic. The reader-response theory suggests that meaning in a literary work is not fixed but varies depending on the reader’s interpretation and response. These two lines show it amply.
Line 6: “I looked to see if ancient wheels had made”
Line 12: “Amazing patterns in a hornbeam spray”
- Formalism Theory: Formalism literary theory focuses on the form and structure of a literary work. “In Trackless Woods” by Richard Wilbur shows the use of imagery and language creates a vivid and detailed picture of the natural environment the speaker is exploring. The careful attention to the placement and alignment of the trees, as described in the poem’s early verses, highlights the significance of literary devices and the speaker’s fascination with them. The use of repetition in the phrase “so far as I could tell” emphasizes the speaker’s uncertainty and adds to the overall mood of the poem. Formalism theory suggests that the meaning of a literary work can be found in its formal elements such as the use of language, structure, and imagery.
Line 2: “Four great rock maples seemingly aligned”
Line 9: “There’d been no roadway. Nor could I find the square”
- Psychoanalytic Theory: Psychoanalytic literary theory focuses on the psychological motivations and unconscious desires of the characters in a literary work. In “In Trackless Woods,” the readers’ sense of confusion and puzzlement about the trees could be interpreted as a reflection of their inner emotional state. In one sense this could lead to the reader’s response perspective but then theories intersect and overlap with each other. The speaker’s desire to understand the trees’ alignment and patterns may represent a deeper desire for order and meaning in their own life. The descriptions of the natural environment and the speaker’s observations of it could also be interpreted as a metaphor for the speaker’s internal struggles and conflicts. Psychoanalytic theory suggests that literary works can be analyzed to uncover the unconscious motivations and desires of the characters and their creators.
Line 1: “In trackless woods, it puzzled me to find”
Line 12: “Amazing patterns in a hornbeam spray”
- Postcolonial Theory: Postcolonial theory examines the relationships between colonizing powers and colonized people and the impact of these relations on their cultures, writings, and discourses. While “In Trackless Woods” does not directly address issues of colonialism, it can be interpreted through a postcolonial lens by examining the relationship between the speaker and the natural environment they are exploring. The speaker’s sense of puzzlement and confusion at the trees’ alignment and lack of a visible purpose may represent a clash between their human-centric perspective and the natural environment’s own intrinsic value and logic. This clash could be seen as a reflection of the larger historical and cultural conflicts between colonizing powers and colonized people, where the former imposes its own values and perspectives on the latter without regard for their unique cultures and ways of life.
Line 3: “As if they had been set out in a row”
Line 13: “Or spirals in a pine cone, under trees”
Essay Topics, Questions, and Thesis Statements about “In Trackless Woods” by Richard Wilbur
- Topic: Analysis of Imagery in “In Trackless Woods” by Richard Wilbur
Question: How does Richard Wilbur use imagery in “In Trackless Woods” to explore the relationship between humans and nature?
Thesis Statement: Through the use of imagery, Richard Wilbur’s “In Trackless Woods” portrays the beauty of the natural world and the limitations of human perception, emphasizing the importance of preserving and respecting nature.
- Topic: Nature as a Mystery in “In Trackless Woods” by Richard Wilbur
Question: How does Richard Wilbur portray nature as an enigmatic force that cannot be fully understood or controlled by humans in “In Trackless Woods”?
Thesis Statement: Richard Wilbur’s “In Trackless Woods” highlights the enigmatic nature of the natural world, emphasizing the importance of preserving and respecting the beauty and mystery of nature.
- Topic: The Limits of Human Perception in “In Trackless Woods” by Richard Wilbur
Question: How does Richard Wilbur explore the limitations of human perception and the human tendency to impose order and structure on the natural world in “In Trackless Woods”?
Thesis Statement: Through “In Trackless Woods,” Richard Wilbur examines the limitations of human perception and the human tendency to impose order on the natural world, highlighting the importance of preserving the natural world in its natural state.
- Topic: The Beauty of Nature in “In Trackless Woods” by Richard Wilbur
Question: How does Richard Wilbur use nature in “In Trackless Woods” to portray the beauty and wonder of the natural world?
Thesis Statement: In “In Trackless Woods,” Richard Wilbur uses the beauty and wonder of nature to underscore the importance of preserving and respecting the natural world.
Short Question-Answer about “In Trackless Woods” by Richard Wilbur
- What is the main theme of “In Trackless Woods” by Richard Wilbur?
The main theme of “In Trackless Woods” is the contrast between nature and human intervention. The speaker is wandering through the woods, observing the natural world around him. However, he comes across four trees that seem to have been planted deliberately, suggesting human intervention. He searches for evidence of a human settlement or road but finds none. This contrast between the natural world and the man-made world creates a sense of mystery and wonder as the speaker is left to think over the meaning of the trees’ alignment and the absence of human influence.
- What is the significance of the “four great rock maples seemingly aligned” in the poem?
The “four great rock maples seemingly aligned” are significant because they represent a point of intersection between the natural world and the human-made world. The trees are aligned as if they were intentionally planted, suggesting a human presence in the otherwise wild woods. However, the speaker cannot find any evidence of human activity or settlement in the area. This creates a sense of mystery and wonder, as the speaker questions the purpose of the trees’ alignment and the absence of human influence in the area.
- What literary devices are used in the poem to create a sense of mystery and wonder?
Wilbur uses several literary devices to create a sense of mystery and wonder. One is imagery, particularly the vivid descriptions of the natural world, such as “amazing patterns in a hornbeam spray” and “spirals in a pine cone.” These descriptions create a sense of awe and wonder at the complexity and beauty the nature presents. The poet also uses personification, particularly in the line “Not subject to our stiff geometries,” which gives the natural world with an agency. It is done further by enjambment and irregular meter creating a sense of unpredictability and mystery as the poem’s rhythms do not adhere to a strict pattern.
- What is the significance of the title “In Trackless Woods”?
The title “In Trackless Woods” emphasizes the wildness and unpredictability of the natural world. The word “trackless” suggests that the woods are untamed and unexplored, and that the speaker is venturing into unknown territory. This creates a sense of mystery and danger, as the speaker is navigating an unfamiliar landscape. Additionally, the title suggests that the poem will explore themes of nature and the absence of human influence, as the woods are presented as a place that is free from the constraints of civilization.