“A Line-storm Song” by Robert Frost: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “A Line-storm Song” by Robert Frost

“A Line-storm Song” by Robert Frost first appeared in 1913 in his collection A Boy’s Will reflects Frost’s characteristic qualities of using nature as a backdrop to explore deeper emotional and philosophical themes. In this particular piece, the line-storm—a violent yet brief storm—serves as a metaphor for the turbulence of human relationships. The poem conveys a message of endurance, emphasizing that love and connection can weather the storms of life if met with patience and understanding. The imagery of the storm intertwines with themes of struggle and resilience, hallmark elements in Frost’s early work.

Text: “A Line-storm Song” by Robert Frost

The line-storm clouds fly tattered and swift, 
  The road is forlorn all day, 
Where a myriad snowy quartz stones lift, 
  And the hoof-prints vanish away. 
The roadside flowers, too wet for the bee,
  Expend their bloom in vain. 
Come over the hills and far with me, 
  And be my love in the rain. 

The birds have less to say for themselves 
  In the wood-world”s torn despair
Than now these numberless years the elves, 
  Although they are no less there: 
All song of the woods is crushed like some 
  Wild, easily shattered rose. 
Come, be my love in the wet woods; come,
  Where the boughs rain when it blows. 

There is the gale to urge behind 
  And bruit our singing down, 
And the shallow waters aflutter with wind 
  From which to gather your gown.  
What matter if we go clear to the west, 
  And come not through dry-shod? 
For wilding brooch shall wet your breast 
  The rain-fresh goldenrod. 

Oh, never this whelming east wind swells   
  But it seems like the sea”s return 
To the ancient lands where it left the shells 
  Before the age of the fern; 
And it seems like the time when after doubt 
  Our love came back amain.
Oh, come forth into the storm and rout 
  And be my love in the rain.

Annotations: “A Line-storm Song” by Robert Frost

Line(s)	Literary Devices	Structural Devices	Explanation
The line-storm clouds fly tattered and swift,	Imagery, Personification	Enjambment	The clouds are personified as “tattered and swift,” emphasizing the violent and chaotic nature of the storm. Imagery evokes a visual sense of a storm in motion. The enjambment moves the reader swiftly through the opening.
The road is forlorn all day,	Personification, Mood	End-stopped Line	The road is personified as “forlorn,” contributing to the overall mood of desolation and abandonment. The pause at the end of the line provides a moment to reflect on this isolation.
Where a myriad snowy quartz stones lift,	Visual Imagery	Enjambment	The description of “snowy quartz stones” offers a stark and vivid image of the landscape. The enjambment leads the reader fluidly to the next line.
And the hoof-prints vanish away.	Visual Imagery	End-stopped Line	The vanishing hoof-prints add to the sense of ephemerality and transience. It emphasizes the fleeting nature of time and human presence in the landscape.
The roadside flowers, too wet for the bee,	Imagery, Symbolism	Enjambment	The wet flowers symbolize unfulfilled potential, perhaps representing missed opportunities in love or life. The enjambment mirrors the continuation of these missed chances.
Expend their bloom in vain.	Symbolism, Tone	End-stopped Line	The phrase “in vain” gives a tone of futility, emphasizing that the flowers’ beauty is wasted, adding to the melancholic atmosphere.
Come over the hills and far with me,	Invitation, Repetition	End-stopped Line	This is a repeated invitation to the speaker’s lover to join him, regardless of the storm, suggesting the idea of finding solace or unity in hardship.
And be my love in the rain.	Metaphor, Repetition	End-stopped Line	The rain becomes a metaphor for the emotional storms of life. The repeated call for love in this line highlights the theme of endurance through adversity.
The birds have less to say for themselves	Personification	Enjambment	The birds are personified as having something to “say,” yet their silence contributes to the desolate, storm-ravaged landscape.
In the wood-world’s torn despair	Imagery, Personification	Enjambment	The “wood-world” is personified as being in “despair,” reinforcing the sense of destruction caused by the storm.
Than now these numberless years the elves,	Mythological Allusion	Enjambment	Reference to elves connects the storm with the ancient, mystical world, suggesting timelessness and nature’s endurance.
Although they are no less there:	Enjambment, Reassurance	Caesura (colon)	Despite the despair, the elves’ presence symbolizes that something magical or hopeful remains unchanged. The caesura provides a brief pause for reflection.
All song of the woods is crushed like some	Simile, Imagery	Enjambment	The simile compares the silence of the woods to a “crushed” rose, suggesting fragility and destruction. The image of the crushed rose evokes a sense of loss.
Wild, easily shattered rose.	Simile, Symbolism	End-stopped Line	The rose, symbolizing beauty and vulnerability, is a metaphor for fragile things—whether nature or relationships—that are easily destroyed in the face of hardship.
Come, be my love in the wet woods; come,	Repetition, Invitation	End-stopped Line	The repeated call for love despite the storm symbolizes resilience in the face of emotional or natural chaos.
Where the boughs rain when it blows.	Personification, Imagery	End-stopped Line	The “boughs rain” personifies the trees, further contributing to the immersive imagery of a storm-torn landscape.
There is the gale to urge behind	Personification	Enjambment	The wind (gale) is personified as something urging them forward, symbolizing external forces that push the lovers through adversity.
And bruit our singing down,	Imagery, Sound (Onomatopoeia)	End-stopped Line	The wind “bruiting” their song down creates an auditory image, suggesting how the storm overpowers their voices, symbolizing the difficulty of communication or connection during life’s trials.
And the shallow waters aflutter with wind	Visual and Auditory Imagery	Enjambment	The wind affecting the water creates a vivid image of nature in motion, with the fluttering suggesting a kind of unsettled energy.
From which to gather your gown.	Symbolism, Imagery	End-stopped Line	The gown may symbolize protection or femininity, and gathering it from the fluttering water suggests that the lover is preparing for the journey, despite the chaotic conditions.
What matter if we go clear to the west,	Rhetorical Question	Enjambment	The rhetorical question reflects the speaker’s indifference to physical discomfort or difficulties, so long as the lovers remain united.
And come not through dry-shod?	Rhetorical Question	End-stopped Line	Again, the speaker questions the importance of remaining “dry-shod,” emphasizing that the emotional connection is more important than physical comfort.
For wilding brooch shall wet your breast	Symbolism	End-stopped Line	The wilding brooch (a piece of jewelry) represents nature’s beauty, now wet with rain. It becomes a symbol of the wildness and emotional freedom that comes with embracing life’s hardships together.
The rain-fresh goldenrod.	Symbolism	End-stopped Line	The goldenrod, a symbol of resilience and strength, contrasts with the fragile rose earlier in the poem. It represents nature’s endurance and parallels the speaker’s hope that their love can endure as well.
Oh, never this whelming east wind swells	Personification, Alliteration	Enjambment	The “whelming” wind personifies nature as an overwhelming force. The alliteration of “whelming wind” enhances the sense of power and intensity.
But it seems like the sea’s return	Simile, Imagery	Enjambment	The wind is compared to the sea’s return, implying a cyclical, timeless force in nature, suggesting that the emotional turmoil, like the sea, will also eventually subside and return to calm.
To the ancient lands where it left the shells	Imagery, Allusion	Enjambment	The reference to “ancient lands” and shells left by the sea alludes to a distant, primordial time, further evoking the idea that nature and love are timeless forces.
Before the age of the fern;	Allusion	End-stopped Line	The reference to “before the age of the fern” suggests an ancient, pre-human time, reinforcing the idea that natural cycles and emotions are enduring, even primordial.
And it seems like the time when after doubt	Simile, Theme of Resolution	Enjambment	This line transitions from a natural to an emotional metaphor, as the speaker reflects on a time when love returned “after doubt,” suggesting reconciliation and hope after turmoil.
Our love came back amain.	Resolution, Imagery	End-stopped Line	The return of love “amain” (forcefully) symbolizes the strength of emotional renewal after hardship, paralleling the return of the sea and wind in the natural world.
Oh, come forth into the storm and rout	Repetition, Invitation	Enjambment	The repeated invitation suggests the speaker’s determination to confront life’s challenges together, emphasizing the importance of facing adversity with love and companionship.
And be my love in the rain.	Repetition, Metaphor	End-stopped Line	The final call to “be my love in the rain” reiterates the theme of finding unity and resilience in the midst of life’s chaos, with the rain symbolizing the trials that love must endure and overcome.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “A Line-storm Song” by Robert Frost

Literary/Poetic Device	Example	Explanation
1. Imagery	“The line-storm clouds fly tattered and swift”	Imagery appeals to the senses, in this case, visualizing storm clouds moving quickly and appearing torn, creating a vivid picture of the turbulent weather.
2. Personification	“The road is forlorn all day”	The road is given human qualities of being “forlorn,” symbolizing loneliness or abandonment, reflecting the mood of the poem.
3. Simile	“All song of the woods is crushed like some / Wild, easily shattered rose.”	A simile compares two things using “like” or “as.” Here, the song of the woods is compared to a fragile rose that can be easily destroyed, symbolizing the destruction caused by the storm.
4. Metaphor	“And be my love in the rain”	The rain serves as a metaphor for life’s emotional storms or challenges, suggesting that love can endure and thrive despite hardships.
6. Repetition	“Come, be my love in the rain”	The repeated phrase emphasizes the speaker’s invitation and plea for love to endure, despite the turmoil symbolized by the rain.
7. Enjambment	“The roadside flowers, too wet for the bee, / Expend their bloom in vain.”	Enjambment occurs when a sentence or thought runs over from one line to the next without a pause, creating a sense of fluidity and movement in the poem, reflecting the natural flow of the storm.
8. End-stopped Line	“Expend their bloom in vain.”	An end-stopped line occurs when a sentence or phrase concludes at the end of a line, providing a natural pause. Here, it emphasizes the futility of the flowers blooming in vain.
9. Rhetorical Question	“What matter if we go clear to the west, / And come not through dry-shod?”	A rhetorical question is asked to make a point rather than to elicit an answer. The speaker suggests that getting wet is irrelevant compared to the emotional connection between the lovers.
10. Symbolism	“The rain-fresh goldenrod”	Symbolism uses objects to represent deeper meanings. The goldenrod, a resilient flower, symbolizes strength and the endurance of love, despite the storm.
11. Allusion	“Before the age of the fern”	An allusion is an indirect reference to something else. The “age of the fern” alludes to a prehistoric time, connecting the storm and love to ancient, timeless natural cycles.
12. Onomatopoeia	“bruit our singing down”	Onomatopoeia refers to words that imitate sounds. “Bruit” mimics the sound of the wind drowning out their song, enhancing the sensory experience of the storm.
13. Tone	“The road is forlorn all day”	Tone reflects the attitude or mood of the poem. The use of “forlorn” sets a melancholic and somber tone, reflecting feelings of loneliness.
14. Invitation	“Come, be my love in the wet woods”	The repeated invitations throughout the poem create a theme of companionship and love as a refuge against the storm, underscoring the central message of enduring love.
15. Mythological Allusion	“Than now these numberless years the elves”	Reference to elves introduces a mythological allusion, suggesting a timeless, magical quality to nature that persists despite the storm, linking love to ancient forces.
16. Juxtaposition	“The roadside flowers, too wet for the bee”	Juxtaposition places two contrasting elements together for effect. The beauty of the flowers is contrasted with the futility of their bloom, as they are “too wet for the bee,” underscoring themes of fragility and loss.
17. Mood	“The birds have less to say for themselves / In the wood-world’s torn despair”	Mood refers to the emotional atmosphere. The “torn despair” of the wood-world creates a mood of devastation and loss, paralleling the emotional turmoil in the poem.
18. Caesura	“Although they are no less there: / All song of the woods is crushed…”	A caesura is a pause within a line, often marked by punctuation. The colon creates a break, allowing for reflection on the elves’ enduring presence before continuing with the image of destruction.
19. Hyperbole	“These numberless years the elves”	Hyperbole is an exaggeration for emphasis. The “numberless years” exaggerates the length of time the elves have existed, emphasizing their ancient and enduring presence.
20. Assonance	“Oh, never this whelming east wind swells”	Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within words. The “e” sound in “whelming,” “east,” and “wind” adds musicality to the line, mimicking the rhythmic rise and fall of the wind.

Themes: “A Line-storm Song” by Robert Frost

• Nature’s Power and Unpredictability: “A Line-storm Song” reflects the immense power and unpredictability of nature. The storm is a central symbol, representing the chaotic, uncontrollable forces that shape both the physical and emotional world. In lines like “The line-storm clouds fly tattered and swift,” Frost highlights the suddenness and violence of natural events, which mirrors the unpredictability of life. The storm’s ability to obscure the landscape, as seen in “The road is forlorn all day,” emphasizes how nature can isolate and disorient those within it, creating an atmosphere of desolation and vulnerability.
• Endurance and Resilience in Love: Despite the storm’s destructive force, the poem emphasizes the enduring nature of love. The repeated invitation to “be my love in the rain” suggests that love can thrive even in the harshest of circumstances. The speaker’s willingness to embrace the storm and endure its discomfort symbolizes resilience in relationships, where emotional storms—like the natural storm—must be faced with commitment and strength. The line “For wilding brooch shall wet your breast / The rain-fresh goldenrod” reinforces this theme by comparing love to the resilient goldenrod, which endures despite the storm’s effects.
• Futility and Fragility: Another theme in the poem is the futility and fragility of life, as seen in the fleeting beauty of nature and the short-lived effects of human efforts. The image of “The roadside flowers, too wet for the bee, / Expend their bloom in vain” symbolizes wasted potential, with the flowers’ beauty being unappreciated due to the overwhelming storm. This sense of fragility is also present in the metaphor “All song of the woods is crushed like some / Wild, easily shattered rose,” where the natural world’s beauty is compared to a delicate rose, easily destroyed by the storm.
• Timelessness and Cycles of Nature: Frost also explores the theme of nature’s timelessness and cyclical nature. The poem’s references to “the sea’s return” and “the ancient lands where it left the shells” suggest a connection between the present storm and the timeless forces of the natural world, implying that storms and struggles are part of a recurring cycle. This idea is reinforced through mythological allusions, such as the mention of “elves” who have persisted for “numberless years,” suggesting that both nature and the emotions it evokes—such as love—are eternal and ever-repeating.

Literary Theories and “A Line-storm Song” by Robert Frost

Literary Theory	Application to “A Line-storm Song”	References from the Poem
Romanticism	“A Line-storm Song” reflects key elements of Romanticism, such as the reverence for nature, the emphasis on emotion, and the focus on individual experience. Nature, in particular, is portrayed as both a beautiful and destructive force, and the speaker’s emotional responses to it are central to the poem. Frost’s use of imagery and personification in his description of the storm evokes a sense of awe and connection to the natural world. The storm mirrors the emotional turbulence of human relationships, a common Romantic theme.	“The line-storm clouds fly tattered and swift,” “Come, be my love in the rain,” and “The birds have less to say for themselves” all reflect nature’s power and its parallel to human emotion, a hallmark of Romanticism.
Ecocriticism	Ecocriticism focuses on the relationship between literature and the natural environment. In “A Line-storm Song,” nature is not just a backdrop but an active force that interacts with the characters and influences their actions. The storm’s unpredictability and destructive potential highlight humanity’s vulnerability to the forces of nature, while the speaker’s plea for love amid the storm suggests the possibility of harmony between human emotions and the natural world. The poem can be seen as a reflection on human attempts to connect with and find solace in nature, even when faced with its overwhelming power.	“Come, be my love in the wet woods; come,” and “The gale to urge behind” demonstrate how nature both challenges and offers unity, an ecocritical theme. Nature is not an idyllic refuge but a force to be navigated with love and resilience.
Psychoanalytic Criticism	Using a psychoanalytic lens, the storm can be viewed as a metaphor for the unconscious mind and the emotional turmoil that lies beneath the surface. The storm may represent internal conflict or suppressed feelings, with the speaker’s repeated invitations to “be my love in the rain” symbolizing a desire to confront and embrace these emotional challenges. The imagery of the “shattered rose” and the futility of the flowers’ bloom may reflect inner feelings of vulnerability and fragility in the face of life’s difficulties. This theory explores the connection between nature’s external chaos and the speaker’s inner psychological state.	“All song of the woods is crushed like some / Wild, easily shattered rose” symbolizes emotional fragility, while “And be my love in the rain” can represent the speaker’s unconscious drive to resolve internal conflicts through emotional connection.

Critical Questions about “A Line-storm Song” by Robert Frost

• How does the storm in “A Line-storm Song” function as a metaphor for emotional turbulence?
• The storm in “A Line-storm Song” serves as a powerful metaphor for emotional turbulence, symbolizing the unpredictability and intensity of human feelings, particularly within relationships. The “line-storm clouds fly tattered and swift” reflects the rapid and chaotic nature of emotional storms, where feelings can be as volatile and overwhelming as a sudden storm in nature. The speaker’s repeated invitation to “be my love in the rain” suggests a desire to face these emotional hardships head-on, indicating that love, much like a storm, can be both destructive and cleansing. The storm’s relentless energy parallels the internal struggles people experience in their relationships, yet it also offers the possibility of renewal and growth, as symbolized by the enduring “rain-fresh goldenrod.”
• How does the theme of nature’s resilience contrast with human vulnerability in the poem?
• Nature’s resilience is evident throughout “A Line-storm Song,” contrasting sharply with human vulnerability. The poem’s imagery, such as the “wilding brooch” of the “rain-fresh goldenrod,” illustrates how nature, though battered by storms, can endure and even thrive. This resilience stands in contrast to the fleeting nature of human experiences and emotions, which are depicted as fragile and easily overwhelmed. For instance, “The roadside flowers, too wet for the bee, / Expend their bloom in vain” highlights human efforts that often feel wasted or futile in the face of life’s challenges, much like the flowers’ bloom is unappreciated in the storm. This contrast between the durability of nature and the transience of human endeavors underscores the poem’s reflection on life’s fragility.
• What role does repetition play in conveying the poem’s central message about love?
• Repetition in “A Line-storm Song” is key to emphasizing the poem’s central message about love’s endurance in the face of challenges. The recurring invitation to “be my love in the rain” reinforces the idea that love requires persistence and resilience. The speaker’s insistence on continuing the journey “in the wet woods” despite the storm suggests that love is not about avoiding hardship but confronting it together. This repetition creates a rhythmic flow that mirrors the cyclical nature of storms, symbolizing the recurring challenges in relationships that can be overcome through dedication and companionship. The repetition of the word “come” also reflects a sense of urgency and longing, underscoring the speaker’s determination to weather the emotional storm alongside their partner.
• How does Frost use imagery to explore the relationship between nature and human emotions?
• Frost uses vivid imagery to draw parallels between nature’s storms and human emotions in “A Line-storm Song.” The poem’s opening line, “The line-storm clouds fly tattered and swift,” immediately creates a visual image of a violent storm, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of emotional turmoil. The image of “The roadside flowers, too wet for the bee” suggests missed opportunities or unfulfilled desires, mirroring the fragile and often transient nature of human emotions. Similarly, the “shallow waters aflutter with wind” evokes a sense of restlessness, reflecting the instability of both the weather and emotional states. Frost’s use of natural imagery underscores the complexity of human emotions, illustrating how love and life are often shaped by forces as unpredictable and powerful as the weather.

Literary Works Similar to “A Line-storm Song” by Robert Frost

1. “The Rain” by William H. Davies
   Similar to “A Line-storm Song,” this poem explores the theme of rain as both a natural and emotional force, using nature as a metaphor for human emotions.
2. “Meeting at Night” by Robert Browning
   Like Frost’s poem, this piece intertwines the natural elements of night and the sea with themes of love and longing, using vivid imagery to convey the emotional journey.
3. “Wind and Window Flower” by Robert Frost
   Another poem by Frost, this one also uses the metaphor of a storm to explore themes of fleeting love and the tension between human emotions and nature’s forces.
4. “The Storm” by Theodore Roethke
   This poem delves into the power of a storm as a reflection of inner turmoil and struggle, much like “A Line-storm Song” relates emotional turbulence to natural forces.
5. “The Snow-Storm” by Ralph Waldo Emerson
   While focusing on snow rather than rain, this poem shares Frost’s theme of nature’s overwhelming power, portraying a storm as both destructive and awe-inspiring.

Representative Quotations of “A Line-storm Song” by Robert Frost

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Perspective (in bold)
“The line-storm clouds fly tattered and swift”	This opening line introduces the poem’s setting, describing the chaotic movement of storm clouds.	Ecocriticism: The storm represents nature’s uncontrollable power, reflecting the relationship between humanity and the environment.
“The road is forlorn all day”	The speaker describes the desolate and abandoned road, emphasizing the mood of isolation and despair.	Psychoanalytic Criticism: The road symbolizes an internal emotional path, reflecting feelings of loneliness and personal turmoil.
“Come, be my love in the rain”	A repeated invitation by the speaker, urging the lover to face the storm and emotional challenges together.	Romanticism: This line evokes the Romantic ideal of enduring love and connection in harmony with the powerful, sometimes harsh forces of nature.
“The birds have less to say for themselves”	The birds are silent in the face of the storm, suggesting a world overpowered by the natural forces.	Ecocriticism: The silence of the birds reflects nature’s overwhelming dominance, silencing all other voices, including human and animal.
“All song of the woods is crushed like some / Wild, easily shattered rose”	Nature’s beauty is fragile and easily destroyed by the storm, mirroring emotional vulnerability.	Psychoanalytic Criticism: The rose symbolizes the fragility of human emotions, particularly in love, which can be “shattered” by external forces.
“There is the gale to urge behind / And bruit our singing down”	The wind overtakes the couple’s song, symbolizing life’s challenges overpowering personal expression.	Modernism: This reflects the tension between individual expression and external forces that suppress personal and artistic voices.
“What matter if we go clear to the west, / And come not through dry-shod?”	The speaker dismisses physical discomfort as unimportant compared to emotional connection.	Existentialism: The line highlights a philosophy of enduring hardship in pursuit of deeper meaning, emphasizing the choice to embrace struggle.
“For wilding brooch shall wet your breast / The rain-fresh goldenrod”	The goldenrod, a symbol of resilience, will adorn the lover despite the storm’s discomfort.	Romanticism: The resilience of nature (the goldenrod) parallels the resilience of love, symbolizing strength in the face of adversity.
“Oh, never this whelming east wind swells / But it seems like the sea’s return”	The wind feels like the return of the sea, symbolizing natural cycles and timeless forces.	Ecocriticism: Nature’s cyclical power is highlighted, showing its continuous influence on human life and emotions.
“And it seems like the time when after doubt / Our love came back amain”	After uncertainty, love returns with force, symbolizing reconciliation and emotional renewal.	Psychoanalytic Criticism: This return of love after doubt can represent the resolution of internal conflicts or emotional restoration.

Suggested Readings: “A Line-storm Song” by Robert Frost

1. Sheehy, Donald G. “(Re)Figuring Love: Robert Frost in Crisis, 1938-1942.” The New England Quarterly, vol. 63, no. 2, 1990, pp. 179–231. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/365799. Accessed 16 Oct. 2024.
2. Haynes, Donald T. “The Narrative Unity of a Boy’s Will.” PMLA, vol. 87, no. 3, 1972, pp. 452–64. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/460904. Accessed 16 Oct. 2024.
3. Tarlinskaja, Marina. “Meter and Meaning: Semantic Associations of the English ‘Dolnik’ Verse Form.” Style, vol. 23, no. 2, 1989, pp. 238–60. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/42945789. Accessed 16 Oct. 2024.
4. Wakefield, Eleanor. “Among Dark Trees: Poetic Identity and the Sonnet Form in ‘Into My Own.'” The Robert Frost Review, no. 28, 2018, pp. 86–100. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/26731490. Accessed 16 Oct. 2024.
5. Kemp, John C. “The Poet in the Making (1874-1912).” Robert Frost and New England: The Poet As Regionalist, Princeton University Press, 1979, pp. 40–85. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt13x0t68.6. Accessed 16 Oct. 2024.