"Mending Wall" - Blog 1

The poem “Mending Wall” by Robert Frost explores how physical and emotional boundaries can prevent one from realising their true identity. The major mental boundary is that you can’t be too sure about whom to trust. The physical boundary is the wall as it prevents the neighbour’s friendship from flourishing.

The persona uses very descriptive language which creates strong visual imagery, referring to the degradation of the wall. This also creates a vivid impression for the reader.

That sends the frozen ground-swell under it

And spills the upper boulder in the sun,

Situational irony is used when the two men come together to repair the wall in order to keep each other separate. The wall symbolises a boundary between the two neighbours in terms of personal and emotional aspects.

We keep the wall between us as we go

To each the boulders that have fallen to each.

By Tiffani.Mungoven