Mending Wall - Robert Frost

The poem "Mending Wall" is written by a poet named Robert Frost.
Frost explores different types of boundaries in this poem.
First, he writes about physical boundaries, telling the reader that a wall is separating the two men.

"And on a day we meet to walk the line

And set the wall between us once again."

He then continues to write about mental boundaries, telling the reader that the wall is also separating them mentally.

"We keep the wall between us as we go."

These three lines are both physical and metaphorical as the persona is saying that the wall is between them in reality as well as in their minds.

The persona, who is not necessarily Frost, has used many forms of language techniques in "Mending Wall".

The persona uses visual imagery in the beginning of the poem reffering to the destruction of the wall and to explain why the wall is being mended.

"That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it

And spills the upper boulder in the sun,

and make gaps even two can pass abreast."

The persona uses a simile to describe his neighbour. He describes his neighbour as though he is not as civilised as other people and he compares him to a primitive caveman.

"Bringing a stone grasped firmly by the top

In each hand, like an old-stone savage armed."

He also uses situational irony in this poem to stress the fact that, though they are building the wall together, they are actually building it to separate themselves from each other and to keep their lands apart.

The persona is using subjective language as "Mending Wall" is a personal poem and not a factual poem.

Jessica Burgess