Introduction: “Birches” by Robert Frost
“Birches” by Robert Frost was first published in August 1915 in The Atlantic Monthly and later included in his 1916 collection, Mountain Interval. This iconic poem showcases Frost’s mastery of blank verse and his ability to seamlessly weave observations of nature with profound philosophical reflections. The poem’s vivid imagery of bent birch trees sparks a contemplation of childhood innocence, the allure of escapism, and the cyclical nature of life. Frost’s conversational tone and use of colloquial language invite the reader into a personal and introspective experience, solidifying “Birches” as one of his most beloved and enduring works.
Text: “Birches” by Robert Frost
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.
But swinging doesn’t bend them down to stay
As 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.
Soon the sun’s warmth makes them shed crystal shells
Shattering and avalanching on the snow-crust—
Such heaps of broken glass to sweep away
You’d think the inner dome of heaven had fallen.
They are dragged to the withered bracken by the load,
And they seem not to break; though once they are bowed
So low for long, they never right themselves:
You may see their trunks arching in the woods
Years afterwards, trailing their leaves on the ground
Like girls on hands and knees that throw their hair
Before them over their heads to dry in the sun.
But I was going to say when Truth broke in
With all her matter-of-fact about the ice-storm
I should prefer to have some boy bend them
As he went out and in to fetch the cows—
Some boy too far from town to learn baseball,
Whose only play was what he found himself,
Summer or winter, and could play alone.
One by one he subdued his father’s trees
By riding them down over and over again
Until he took the stiffness out of them,
And not one but hung limp, not one was left
For him to conquer. He learned all there was
To learn about not launching out too soon
And so not carrying the tree away
Clear to the ground. He always kept his poise
To the top branches, climbing carefully
With the same pains you use to fill a cup
Up to the brim, and even above the brim.
Then he flung outward, feet first, with a swish,
Kicking his way down through the air to the ground.
So was I once myself a swinger of birches.
And so I dream of going back to be.
It’s when I’m weary of considerations,
And life is too much like a pathless wood
Where your face burns and tickles with the cobwebs
Broken across it, and one eye is weeping
From a twig’s having lashed across it open.
I’d like to get away from earth awhile
And then come back to it and begin over.
May no fate willfully misunderstand me
And half grant what I wish and snatch me away
Not to return. Earth’s the right place for love:
I don’t know where it’s likely to go better.
I’d like to go by climbing a birch tree,
And climb black branches up a snow-white trunk
Toward heaven, till the tree could bear no more,
But dipped its top and set me down again.
That would be good both going and coming back.
One could do worse than be a swinger of birches.
Annotations: “Birches” by Robert Frost
| Lines | Annotation |
| When I see birches bend to left and right / Across the lines of straighter darker trees, | The speaker notices birch trees bending among straighter, darker trees, creating a visual contrast. |
| I like to think some boy’s been swinging them. / But swinging doesn’t bend them down to stay | The speaker imagines a boy swinging on the birches, but acknowledges that this doesn’t cause permanent bending. |
| As ice-storms do. Often you must have seen them / Loaded with ice a sunny winter morning | Ice storms, not boys, cause birches to bend permanently. The speaker describes the sight of ice-covered birches. |
| After a rain. They click upon themselves / As the breeze rises, and turn many-colored | The ice-covered birches make clicking sounds in the breeze and reflect light in various colors. |
| As the stir cracks and crazes their enamel. / Soon the sun’s warmth makes them shed crystal shells | The ice on the birches cracks and creates intricate patterns, eventually melting in the sun. |
| Shattering and avalanching on the snow-crust— / Such heaps of broken glass to sweep away | The melting ice falls like shattered glass onto the snow, forming heaps that look like broken glass. |
| You’d think the inner dome of heaven had fallen. / They are dragged to the withered bracken by the load, | The scene is so dramatic it seems like the sky has fallen. The weight of the ice bends the birches to the ground. |
| And they seem not to break; though once they are bowed / So low for long, they never right themselves: | The birches don’t break, but once bent for a long time, they don’t straighten up again. |
| You may see their trunks arching in the woods / Years afterwards, trailing their leaves on the ground | The permanently bent birches remain arched, with their leaves touching the ground. |
| Like girls on hands and knees that throw their hair / Before them over their heads to dry in the sun. | The bent birches are compared to girls kneeling and drying their hair in the sun. |
| But I was going to say when Truth broke in / With all her matter-of-fact about the ice-storm | The speaker initially wanted to discuss something else but was interrupted by the reality of ice storms. |
| I should prefer to have some boy bend them / As he went out and in to fetch the cows— | The speaker prefers the idea of a boy bending the birches while fetching cows. |
| Some boy too far from town to learn baseball, / Whose only play was what he found himself, | The boy lives too far from town to play organized sports, so he creates his own play. |
| Summer or winter, and could play alone. / One by one he subdued his father’s trees | The boy plays alone throughout the year, bending each tree until they all hang limp. |
| By riding them down over and over again / Until he took the stiffness out of them, | The boy rides the birches repeatedly until they lose their stiffness. |
| And not one but hung limp, not one was left / For him to conquer. He learned all there was | Eventually, all the birches are bent, and the boy masters the art of bending them. |
| To learn about not launching out too soon / And so not carrying the tree away | The boy learns patience, knowing not to jump off the birch too early to avoid breaking it. |
| Clear to the ground. He always kept his poise / To the top branches, climbing carefully | He climbs carefully, maintaining balance, similar to filling a cup to the brim without spilling. |
| With the same pains you use to fill a cup / Up to the brim, and even above the brim. | The careful climbing is likened to the precision needed to fill a cup to the brim. |
| Then he flung outward, feet first, with a swish, / Kicking his way down through the air to the ground. | The boy jumps off the birch with a swift motion, enjoying the ride down. |
| So was I once myself a swinger of birches. / And so I dream of going back to be. | The speaker reminisces about their own childhood, wishing to return to that simpler time. |
| It’s when I’m weary of considerations, / And life is too much like a pathless wood | When overwhelmed by life’s complexities, the speaker longs for the simplicity of swinging on birches. |
| Where your face burns and tickles with the cobwebs / Broken across it, and one eye is weeping | Life’s challenges are compared to walking through a dense, cobweb-filled forest. |
| From a twig’s having lashed across it open. / I’d like to get away from earth awhile | The speaker desires a temporary escape from life’s difficulties. |
| And then come back to it and begin over. / May no fate willfully misunderstand me | The speaker wishes for a brief respite from life, hoping fate won’t misinterpret this as a desire for permanent escape. |
| And half grant what I wish and snatch me away / Not to return. Earth’s the right place for love: | The speaker clarifies they want to return to life, as Earth is where love exists. |
| I don’t know where it’s likely to go better. / I’d like to go by climbing a birch tree, | The speaker believes Earth is the best place for love and imagines climbing a birch tree as a way to momentarily escape. |
| And climb black branches up a snow-white trunk / Toward heaven, till the tree could bear no more, | The speaker envisions climbing towards heaven until the birch can no longer support them. |
| But dipped its top and set me down again. / That would be good both going and coming back. | The speaker imagines the birch gently lowering them back to Earth, enjoying both the ascent and descent. |
| One could do worse than be a swinger of birches. | The speaker concludes that being a “swinger of birches” is a worthwhile and fulfilling experience. |
Literary And Poetic Devices: “Birches” by Robert Frost
· Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words or stressed syllables.
- Example: “Shattering and avalanching on the snow-crust” (repetition of ‘sh’ sound).
· Allusion: An indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance.
- Example: “May no fate willfully misunderstand me / And half grant what I wish and snatch me away / Not to return” (allusion to the myth of Icarus).
· Anaphora: The deliberate repetition of the first part of the sentence in order to achieve an artistic effect.
- Example: “And so I dream of going back to be… / It’s when I’m weary of considerations… / I’d like to get away from earth awhile…” (repetition of “And so” and “I’d like”).
· Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within words or stressed syllables.
- Example: “They click upon themselves / As the breeze rises” (repetition of short ‘i’ sound).
· Blank Verse: Unrhymed iambic pentameter, a line of poetry with five pairs of unstressed and stressed syllables.
- Example: The majority of the poem is written in blank verse.
· Caesura: A pause or break within a line of poetry, often indicated by punctuation.
- Example: “Soon the sun’s warmth makes them shed crystal shells —” (the dash creates a pause).
· Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words.
- Example: “And life is too much like a pathless wood” (repetition of ‘d’ sound).
· Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line of poetry to the next, without a pause.
- Example: “And they seem not to break; though once they are bowed / So low for long, they never right themselves:”
· Hyperbole: Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
- Example: “You’d think the inner dome of heaven had fallen.”
· Imagery: Vivid and descriptive language that appeals to the senses, creating mental images for the reader.
- Example: “Loaded with ice a sunny winter morning / After a rain.”
· Metaphor: A direct comparison between two unlike things, suggesting a similarity between them.
- Example: “Like girls on hands and knees that throw their hair / Before them over their heads to dry in the sun.”
· Onomatopoeia: The use of words that imitate the sounds they describe.
- Example: “They click upon themselves” (the word “click” imitates the sound of ice cracking).
· Oxymoron: A figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction.
- Example: “a sunny winter morning”
· Personification: Giving human qualities or characteristics to inanimate objects or abstract concepts.
- Example: “Truth broke in / With all her matter-of-fact about the ice-storm”
· Simile: A comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as.”
- Example: “trailing their leaves on the ground / Like girls on hands and knees…”
· Symbolism: The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.
- Example: The birch trees symbolize both childhood innocence and the desire for escape.
· Tone: The attitude of the writer toward the subject or audience, conveyed through word choice and style.
- Example: The tone of “Birches” is nostalgic, reflective, and hopeful.
· Visual Imagery: Descriptive language that appeals specifically to the sense of sight.
- Example: “When I see birches bend to left and right / Across the lines of straighter darker trees.”
· Word Choice (Diction): The specific words chosen by the poet to convey meaning and create a particular effect.
- Example: Frost’s use of simple, everyday language helps to create a conversational tone.
· Zoomorphism: Attributing animalistic qualities to humans or objects.
- Example: Although not explicitly stated, the bending birches could be seen as taking on the form of animals arching their backs.
Themes: “Birches” by Robert Frost
- Nature and Its Forces: In “Birches,” Robert Frost explores the powerful and sometimes harsh forces of nature, particularly through the imagery of ice storms. The birches’ bending is attributed to these natural phenomena: “But swinging doesn’t bend them down to stay / As ice-storms do.” The vivid description of ice weighing down the branches until they “click upon themselves” and “turn many-colored” emphasizes nature’s impact on the physical world. This theme underscores the inevitable influence of natural events, both beautiful and destructive, shaping the landscape and the lives within it.
- Childhood and Innocence: The poem nostalgically recalls the innocence and simplicity of childhood through the imagery of a boy swinging on birches. Frost reflects on how the boy “subdued his father’s trees / By riding them down over and over again,” symbolizing a time of carefree play and exploration. This theme is further illustrated by the boy’s isolation from societal norms: “Some boy too far from town to learn baseball, / Whose only play was what he found himself.” The speaker’s longing to return to these moments of youthful innocence reveals a desire to escape the complexities and burdens of adult life.
- Escape and Return: Frost delves into the theme of escape and the desire for a temporary reprieve from life’s difficulties. The speaker expresses a wish to “get away from earth awhile / And then come back to it and begin over.” This longing is depicted through the act of climbing a birch tree, ascending towards the heavens, and then returning to the ground. The speaker envisions this as a form of renewal and refreshment, highlighting the human need to find moments of peace and clarity away from life’s relentless pressures.
- The Interplay of Imagination and Reality: “Birches” juxtaposes the imaginative world of the speaker with the harsh realities of life. Initially, the speaker prefers to think that the birches are bent by a boy’s playful swinging rather than by ice storms: “I like to think some boy’s been swinging them.” This imaginative escape is interrupted by “Truth” with “her matter-of-fact about the ice-storm.” The poem navigates between these two realms, illustrating how imagination can provide solace and meaning, even as reality imposes its undeniable facts. The speaker ultimately acknowledges both, blending the desire for imaginative escape with an acceptance of reality.
Literary Theories and “Birches” by Robert Frost
| Literary Theory | Application to “Birches” | References from the Poem | Critiques |
| New Criticism | Focuses on the text itself, analyzing its structure, imagery, and symbolism without considering external context. | – “When I see birches bend to left and right / Across the lines of straighter darker trees” (imagery) – “But I was going to say when Truth broke in / With all her matter-of-fact about the ice-storm” (conflict between imagination and reality) – “One could do worse than be a swinger of birches” (symbolism of swinging birches as an escape) | New Criticism might overlook the broader historical and biographical context that influenced Frost. It focuses strictly on textual elements, potentially missing deeper insights from the poet’s life and era. |
| Psychoanalytic Criticism | Examines the subconscious desires and internal conflicts of the speaker, often drawing on Freudian concepts. | – “I’d like to get away from earth awhile / And then come back to it and begin over” (desire for escape and rebirth) – “So was I once myself a swinger of birches. / And so I dream of going back to be” (nostalgia and regression to childhood) – “It’s when I’m weary of considerations, / And life is too much like a pathless wood” (expression of existential angst) | Psychoanalytic criticism might overemphasize the internal and subconscious aspects, potentially neglecting the poem’s natural and societal contexts. It could interpret the text more through a psychological lens than a literary one. |
| Ecocriticism | Analyzes the relationship between literature and the natural environment, focusing on how nature is depicted and its thematic significance. | – “Loaded with ice a sunny winter morning / After a rain. They click upon themselves” (detailed depiction of natural phenomena) – “Such heaps of broken glass to sweep away / You’d think the inner dome of heaven had fallen” (impact of natural events) – “Earth’s the right place for love: / I don’t know where it’s likely to go better” (affirmation of Earth’s significance) | Ecocriticism might overemphasize the environmental aspects, potentially overshadowing the poem’s other themes such as childhood, imagination, and existential concerns. It provides valuable insights into environmental themes but may limit the scope of analysis. |
Critical Questions about “Birches” by Robert Frost
- How does Frost use the image of the bent birch trees to explore the themes of escapism and return in the poem?
- In “Birches,” the bent trees serve as a metaphor for the human desire to escape from the burdens of reality and momentarily ascend to a higher plane. The speaker imagines a boy swinging on the birches, reaching towards the heavens in a playful act of transcendence. However, Frost acknowledges that this escape is temporary, as the trees, like humans, eventually return to their earthly state. The lines “Earth’s the right place for love: / I don’t know where it’s likely to go better” suggest that while escapism may offer temporary relief, true fulfillment is found in embracing the earthly experience. The poem ultimately suggests that while we may yearn for escape, our connection to the earth and the reality of human existence is essential.
- What is the significance of the ice storm in the poem, both literally and figuratively?
- The ice storm in “Birches” serves a dual purpose. Literally, it is the force that bends the birch trees, creating the image that sparks the speaker’s reflections. Figuratively, the ice storm represents the harsh realities of life that weigh down and bend the human spirit. The “Truth” that “broke in” with the ice storm can be interpreted as the cold, hard facts of life that shatter illusions and force us to confront reality. The speaker acknowledges the pain and damage caused by the ice storm, but also recognizes its transformative power, suggesting that hardships can lead to growth and resilience.
- How does Frost’s use of language and imagery contribute to the poem’s overall effect?
- Frost’s language in “Birches” is characterized by its simplicity, clarity, and evocative imagery. He uses everyday language and conversational tone to create a sense of intimacy and accessibility, inviting the reader to share in his reflections. The poem’s imagery is rich and sensory, appealing to sight, sound, and touch. The vivid descriptions of the ice-laden trees, the cracking and shattering of the ice, and the sensation of cobwebs on the face create a visceral experience for the reader, drawing them into the poem’s world and deepening their emotional engagement.
- 4. What is the significance of the speaker’s desire to be a “swinger of birches” again?
- The speaker’s longing to return to his childhood experience of swinging on birch trees reflects a yearning for innocence, freedom, and the simple joys of life. The act of swinging represents a temporary escape from the complexities and burdens of adulthood. It is a way to reconnect with a time when life was less “pathless” and more filled with wonder and possibility. The desire to be a “swinger of birches” is not merely a nostalgic yearning for the past, but a desire to rediscover a sense of playfulness and joy in the present.
Topics, Questions, and Thesis Statement about “Birches” by Robert Frost
Topic 1: Nature and Human Experience in “Birches”
- Question: How does Robert Frost use the natural imagery of birch trees to explore the complexities of the human experience in “Birches”?
- Thesis Statement: In “Birches,” Robert Frost employs the imagery of birch trees as a metaphor for the human spirit’s resilience, the yearning for escape, and the cyclical nature of life, revealing a profound connection between the natural world and human emotions.
Topic 2: Escapism and Reality in “Birches”
- Question: How does Frost examine the tension between escapism and the acceptance of reality in “Birches”?
- Thesis Statement: “Birches” delves into the human desire for escape from the hardships of reality through the imagery of swinging on birch trees, ultimately emphasizing the importance of grounding oneself in the earthly experience and finding joy in the present moment.
Topic 3: Childhood and Adulthood in “Birches”
- Question: How does Frost portray the contrast between childhood innocence and the burdens of adulthood in “Birches”?
- Thesis Statement: Through the nostalgic reminiscence of swinging on birch trees, “Birches” explores the dichotomy between the carefree nature of childhood and the complexities and responsibilities of adulthood, highlighting the longing for a return to simpler times.
Topic 4: The Use of Language and Form in “Birches”
- Question: How does Frost’s use of language, imagery, and blank verse contribute to the overall meaning and impact of “Birches”?
- Thesis Statement: In “Birches,” Robert Frost’s skillful use of vivid imagery, conversational language, and blank verse creates a powerful emotional resonance, allowing readers to connect with the speaker’s introspective journey and reflections on life, nature, and the human spirit.
Literary Works Similar to “Birches” by Robert Frost
- “When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer” by Walt Whitman: Whitman’s poem reflects on the limitations of scientific knowledge and the importance of experiencing the wonders of the natural world firsthand. It shares themes of individual experience, transcendence, and the contrast between intellectual pursuit and sensory experience, similar to the introspective tone found in “Birches.”
- “The Tuft of Flowers” by Robert Frost: Although another work by Frost, it offers a thematic connection to “Birches.” In this poem, Frost explores the interconnectedness of human experience and the natural world through the imagery of a solitary mower finding solace in the beauty of a tuft of flowers left untouched. It resonates with the themes of solitude, connection, and the restorative power of nature present in “Birches.”
- “Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey” by William Wordsworth: Wordsworth’s poem reflects on the restorative power of nature and the role it plays in shaping the human experience. Like “Birches,” it explores themes of memory, solitude, and the transcendent experience of immersing oneself in the natural world.
- “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” by William Wordsworth: Also by Wordsworth, this poem celebrates the beauty of nature and the joy it brings to the human spirit. It shares with “Birches” a sense of wonder and awe in the face of the natural world, as well as themes of solitude, introspection, and the transformative power of nature.
- “Daffodils” by William Wordsworth: Another work by Wordsworth, this poem vividly describes the poet’s encounter with a field of daffodils and the lasting impression it leaves on his soul. It shares themes of inspiration, memory, and the restorative power of nature, echoing the sentiments found in “Birches.”
Suggested Readings: “Birches” by Robert Frost
Books:
- Bloom, Harold, ed. Robert Frost. Bloom’s Major Poets. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1999.
- Pritchard, William H. Frost: A Literary Life Reconsidered.New York: Oxford University Press, 1984.
Articles:
- Cox, James M. “Robert Frost and the Edge of the Clearing.” The Virginia Quarterly Review 35.1 (1959): 73-88. JSTOR.
- Kertzer, Jon. “Frost and Modernism.” The Cambridge Companion to Robert Frost, edited by Robert Faggen, Cambridge University Press, 2001, pp. 99-117.
- Monteiro, George. “Robert Frost’s Solitary Singer.” Frost: Centennial Essays, edited by Jac Tharpe, University Press of Mississippi, 1974, pp. 3-22.
Web Links/URLs:
- The Poetry Foundation: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44260/birches
- Modern American Poetry:
Representative Quotations from “Birches” by Robert Frost
| Quotation | Context | Theoretical Lens |
| “I like to think some boy’s been swinging them.” | The speaker describes the bent birch trees and imagines a boy playing on them. | Imagination and Fantasy (Psychoanalytic) |
| “They are dragged to the withered bracken by the load, / And they seem not to break; though once they are bowed / So low for long, they never right themselves:” | The speaker describes the effects of ice-storms on birch trees, which bend but do not break. | Nature and Resilience (Ecocritical) |
| “I should prefer to have some boy bend them / As he went out and in to fetch the cows—” | The speaker prefers the idea of a boy playing on the trees rather than the harsh reality of ice-storms. | Childhood and Innocence (Romantic) |
| “It’s when I’m weary of considerations, / And life is too much like a pathless wood” | The speaker expresses frustration with the complexities of life and desires escape. | Existential Crisis (Existentialist) |
| “Earth’s the right place for love: / I don’t know where it’s likely to go better.” | The speaker concludes that Earth is the best place for love and human connection. | Humanism and Appreciation (Humanistic) |