“Mending Wall”: Introduction
The catchphrase “Good fences make good neighbors” in “Mending Wall” has become associated with Frost, who used it to describe a wall he erected between his orchard and his neighbor’s fields. In the poem “Mending Wall,” Robert Frost consistently emphasizes that there is something opposing the wall both have constructed, whether it be hunters or something else. He articulates this notion with the line, “Something there is that doesn’t love a wall” (Lines 1). While Frost doesn’t outright refute his neighbor’s suggestion, his reflections in “Mending Wall” suggest that walls, especially those between individuals and nations, are established to hinder affection or contact between people and serve no other purpose.
“Mending Wall” and Real Walls”
Walls between nations serve to interrupt contact and create an air of mystery about them among other nations. A prominent example is the Great Wall of China, which stands out. Unlike a singular wall, it is comprised of a collection of short walls scattered over an estimated length of approximately 8,850 kilometers or 5,500 miles. Construction was suggested around 200 BCE during the Qin Dynasty, with the primary goal of keeping Mongol nomads away from China. The wall underwent various additions and modifications during different periods, with the latest occurring during the Ming Dynasty in the 14th to 16th century. Constructed from soil, stones, bricks, and incorporating massive boulders at certain locations, the wall also features fortifications and guard posts at intervals of every four miles. This structure is relevant to Frost, as like the Chinese, his friend also visits him, and they both take walks, as he mentioned.
I let my neighbor know beyond the hill;
And on a day we meet to walk the line
And set the wall between us once again. (Lines 12-14)
The reason is that Frost is outgoing, but his neighbor believes in the adage “good fences make good friends” (Line 45), a sentiment shared by the Chinese, who historically did not engage in open contacts with other nations (Rosenberg). The Great Wall of China stands as a tangible example, preventing China from fostering intimate relationships with any other country until relatively recently.
“Mending Wall” and “The Berlin Wall”
The Berlin Wall also served a similar purpose, keeping Eastern Berliners and Western Berliners separated for over 28 years. It was a physical division of West Berlin from East Germany, constructed on August 31, 1961. Unlike the gradual construction of the Great Wall of China, the Berlin Wall’s creation was rapid and unexpected, mirroring the surprising nature of its eventual destruction. After World War II, the Aallied powers divided Germany into four zones, and Berlin faced a similar fate. However, as relations between the USSR and other powers deteriorated, Berlin also became a focal point for division. On August 31, 1961, amidst rumors of the USSR potentially annexing East Berlin, soldiers and construction workers entered East Berlin in trucks and jeeps just after midnight. While Berliners slept, they swiftly erected a wall with concrete and bricks, creating a barrier that separated people who had lived together for centuries. Stretching around a hundred miles, the Berlin Wall underwent four phases of repair, evolving from a simple fence to a complete wall (Rosenberg). Many families and relationships were severed, prompting several attempts to breach the wall, echoing Frost’s sentiment when he says, “There where it is, we do not need the wall” (Line 24).
“Mending Wall” and Contemporary Era
In the contemporary era, nations no longer rely on physical walls but rather strict regulations, such as the U.S. immigration system, to control the influx of people and individuals. While the means have shifted from visible walls to invisible barriers of laws, rules, and regulations, the underlying purpose remains the same – preventing people from meeting and getting to know each other. In the United States, immigration issues evoke cultural and economic anxieties among locals, fueled by media portrayals that sometimes depict immigrants as an economic burden (Fix and Jeffery). Although the U.S. immigration policy articulates clear goals of promoting family reunification, cultural diversity, and economic homogeneity, it is divided into legal and illegal sections, creating complexities for individuals. Despite immigrants often contributing significantly to the U.S. economy, Frost sees the issue differently. His questioning, “If I could put a notion in his head: / Why do they make good neighbors?” (Lines 29-30), resonates as true in this context. For Frost, the immigration department becomes the barrier to good neighborly relations, preventing families, even those without proper documentation, from uniting and establishing lasting connections.
“Mending Wall”: Conclusion
Frost’s neighbor’s assertion that “good fences make good friends” (Line 45) holds truth, but it is also evident that excessive walling and fencing can foster a biased approach, diminishing affection, reducing contact, and undermining confidence and trust among the public. This sentiment is portrayed by Frost in “Mending Wall.” The Great Wall of China effectively isolated China from the world for an extended period, and the Berlin Wall kept Berliners separated for over 28 years. Similarly, the U.S. immigration policy forces many neighbors to part ways permanently, severing their connections. However, Frost may overlook the political and contextual nuances that surround each instance of walling and fencing. Each structure serves specific requirements and is influenced by the demands of the time. Even in Frost’s poem, the distinction between walling and fencing implies that the U.S. immigration policy, while creating barriers, may not be as severe as the extensive walls erected by Ancient China and the USSR. Frost acknowledges that there are different motivations and timings behind these structures, recognizing that they don’t all carry the same implications.
“Mending Wall”: Works Cited
- Fix, Michael E.& Jeffrey S. Passel. “Immigration and Immigrants: Setting the Record Straight.” 2013. Urban Institute. 16 July 2013 <http://www.urban.org/publications/305184.html>. Accessed 16 July 2023.
- Frost, Robert. “Mending Wall.” 18 July 2007. n. d.Writing. <http://writing.upenn.edu/~afilreis/88/frost-mending.html>. Accessed 16 July 2023.
- Lentricchia, Frank. “Robert Frost: A Critical Analysis of “Mending Wall”. 28 September 2009. 16 July 2013 <http://studentacademichelp.blogspot.com/2009/09/robert-frost-critical-analysis-of.html>. Accessed 16 July 2023.
- Rosenberg, Matt. “The Great Wall of China.” n.d. Geography. <http://geography.about.com/od/specificplacesofinterest/a/greatwall.htm>. Accessed 16 July 2023.
- Rosenberg, Jennifer. “The Rise and Fall of The Berlin Wall (2).” n.d. History 1900. <http://history1900s.about.com/od/coldwa1/a/berlinwall_2.htm>. Accessed 16 July 2023.
“Mending Wall”: Relevant Questions
- Comparative Analysis: How do the themes and symbolism in Robert Frost’s “Mending Wall” resonate with the construction and implications of the real walls such as the Berlin Wall and the Great Wall of China?
- Social and Political Impact: In what ways did the physical walls like the Berlin Wall and the Great Wall of China influence social dynamics and relationships, and how does this align with Frost’s exploration of interpersonal boundaries in “Mending Wall”?
- Evolution of Walls: Considering the Berlin Wall’s relatively recent history in comparison to the ancient Great Wall of China, how has the concept and construction of walls evolved over time, and does Frost’s perspective in “Mending Wall” provide insights into the enduring aspects or changing nature of these structures?
