Robert Frost The American Voice…

Background Born March 26, 1874 Grew up in San Francisco, California Favorite pass time as a child was playing baseball After father’s death, his mother, sister and himself moved to Salem, New Hampshire

Education… At age 14 he attended High school in Lawrence, Mass Wrote first poem called “La Noche Trist” published in school newspaper Dartmouth Harvard University Never received a degree from either school Became a drifter

The start of his career… 1894 sold first poem “Butterfly” to editorial Married Elinor White, high school sweet heart in Frost’s grandfather bought him a farm Spent time with his family, enjoyed nature and talked with his neighbors Worked farm for 12 years Taught school to support his family

Frost on the Move… Writing poetry had not earned him enough money Sold farm 1912 and moved his family to England Found publisher for first book of poems and was well received 1915 moved family to U.S because of WWI

Famous Frost… Move to U.S proved profitable and Frost became famous after the publication of two poetry collections/books. Third collection was also a success Bought farm in New Hampshire Began teaching at Amherst College

Famous Frost Continued… 1924 won Pulitzer Prize for “New Hampshire” 1st of 4 he would receive

Hard Times… 1934 youngest daughter died of a fever Wife died suddenly of a heart attack Only son committed suicide

Towards the end… After WWII he wrote fewer poems and spent more time in his public role as writer Final appearances was at John F. Kennedy’s inauguration Highest honor ever given to a poet Frost died in 1963 at age 88

Frost’s Style-- “Simplicity” Use of plain language to reflect the simple lives of New England farmers Use of Blank Verse to achieve natural rhythms of everyday speech Use of metaphors that change commonplace ideas into experiences of deeper meaning Use of repetition, dialogue and dialect Unusual word order for emphasis

A QUOTE A poem is never a put-up job, so to speak It begins as a lump in the throat, a sense of Wrong, a homesickness, a lovesickness. It Is never a thought to begin with. It is at its Best when it is a tantalizing vagueness. It Finds it thought and succeeds; or doesn’t Find it and comes to nothing.