Robert Frost (March 26, 1874 – January 29, 1963 / San Francisco)

Discussed this poem in an English A-Level class last year and it was utterly condemned. In a world blessed with the existence of sunsets and mountain ranges, Frost chooses to express the sentiments of a woman through the metaphor of a tent. Wonderful...

The pole is her character the ties are the rules that keep the pole standing upright. Though, they are only to hold the cedar pole in place during trying times she stands straight usually. Her character is sheltered. The wood is polished and beautiful, and it holds up the tent which would be a household or family perhaps a network of friends that protect the inside from the elements perhaps protecting the next generation of tent poles. Really a beautiful poem.

Hi Brett -I'll have a go at answering your questions!
1. 'As'and 'like' introduce a simile, so the first line is just that.A metaphor speaks of something in terms of something else, so the rest of the poem is a metaphor.
2.The ropes or cords stand for her relationships.She does not feel obligated or constrained by others, so is able to act out of love, both for them and for life.
3,4. The woman is secure in herself and does not depend on the approval of others.Frost might well be describing the kind of relationship that allows the full flowering of a loving personality.
Good luck!
Andrew
She is able to realise her individuality and be wholly herself

I love this poem, good memories. the comparison made the woman beautiful.

Hello everyone!
I have four questions that I want to ask
1.Is Frost's comparison of a woman and tent a simile or a metaphor?
2.What does the ropes or cords indeed mean?
3.Does the poet convey any sense of this woman's character? And what is the
woman's character?
4.Try to state the implied meaning of this poet!

Thank you! !

Line 1 should be 'She is as in a field a silken tent'
There are other mistakes in this on-line version

In my opinion Robert Frost has a brilliant imagination and his poems are deep rooted in spirituality. For example.. he attributes the qualities of a sensuous woman to a silken tent which has a tendency to be capricious but nevertheless is held back by firm cords to the ground just like a woman.
The poem is extremely vivid and philosophical.. The comparison made is beautiful yet subtle.