A ROADSIDE STAND�
ROBERT FROST
BY
DEBIKA DUTTA
PGT(ENGLISH)
JNV ,DARRANG
Explanation�
stanzawise
The occupants of the little old house have extended theshed in front, around the edge of the road where traffic passes by.
Though it would be unfair to state that the shack-owners
wanted a charity of bread, but nevertheless they seemed
to implore the passers-by to stop and buy something from the shack.
These deprived people long for the feel of the currency, the circulation of which flourishes the city folks.
But unfortunately, the refined traffic whizzed past,
unmindful of the shack.Or, if by chance, any stopped,
t would be with a feeling of
reproach at this blot on the picturesque landscape.
They are very perturbed to see the unimpressive and
toppled up signboards. The shack offered for sale
wild berries in a wooden quart (quarter of a gallon).
The unqualitative local produceis highlighted with the
usage of words like "crook-necked", "squash with silver
warts".The place also offered a blissful stay in the lap
of nature for the ones who had money. Angry at the
callous attitude of the so-called ‘polished traffic‘,
the poet commands them to move ahead oblivious
of the road-side stand.
The poet’s concern is not about the blemish on the
landscape butregarding the unvented sorrow of the
hed-owners. Expressing the view point of these
eople, the poet converts their ardent desire to
handle some city money, which may perhaps
alleviate their sufferings as sometimes promised
in movies. The political party in power
actually deprive them of a prosperous life.
The poet quotes the news which highlights the evacuation and relocation of the
poor villagers to the vicinity of the theaters and the shops. Tall promises have
been made to take good care of them. Outraged at the negligent attitude
of the civic authorities, government and even social service agencies,
the poet addresses them as "greedy good-doers" apparently benefactors
but actually "beasts of prey" who exploit the innocent village folk
by giving them a short term sense of security, the villagers are not being
helped but harmed.They pay a heavy price by losing their land. These
developers, civic authorities, with a calculative strategy "soothe" (silence) and
befool the unalloyed heart and minds of these villagers.
By ensuring them a better life and hence good sleep, they
actually sleep peacefully themselves and destroy their slumber
with anxiety. In the ancient way, people used to work during day and sleep I
n nights which has been reversed here where they are not able to sleep
at night because they haven’t worked in the day.
But unfortunately, the refined traffic whizzed past, unmindful of the shack. Or, if by chance, any stopped, it would be with a feeling of reproach at this blot on the picturesque landscape. They are very perturbed to see the unimpressive and toppled up signboards. The shack offered for sale wild berries in a wooden quart (quarter of a gallon). The unqualitative local produce is highlighted with the usage of words like "crook-necked", "squash with silver warts".
The place also offered a blissful stay in the lap of nature for the ones who had money. Angry at the callous attitude of the so-called ‘polished traffic‘, t he poet commands them to move ahead oblivious of the road-side stand.
The poet is distressed to note the interminable wait on the part of the
shed owners for their prospective buyers, he calls it almost a "childish
longing in vain". The shop window is blanketed with an ambience of sadness that
surrounds expectancy. It seems these people yearn for the sound of the car brakes
near the shack.
One of the "selfish cars" that pass by the shed has perhaps halted to enquire the
"farmer’s price" while the other just wanted to use the backyard to turn.
It’s indeed a satire that one of the occupants of the car stops at the shed to g
et a gallon of gas. It highlights a sense of alienation that exists between the
rural and urban life. Unaware of the villagers plights and engrossed with the pleasure
of the material world, these people are unable to gauge the glaring difference in city and
rural life.
The poet regrets that the yardstick of gain vested in money, isn’t found in the
country-side at all. Money he feels elevates spirits and the lack of it dampens
the villagers’ perspective towards life. They tend to express their grievance
about a life bereft of money. At this point of time, the poet is overwhelmed
with emotions and contemplates their pain at one go by changing their lives.
But a later logical thought and a poised state of mind tells him the futility of
this rash act. It might compel him to seek purgation of pain from others for
his thoughtless decision
WORD MEANING
Pathetically - Pitiably, Miserably
Polished - Refined, Sophisticated
Squash - A vegetable
Warts - Growth, Tumour
Quarts - Bottles, Containers
Swarm - Flood, Flock
Beneficent - Kind, Charitable
Prey - An animal hunted for food, Victim
Soothe - Comfort, Placate
Lurks - Hang around, Sneak
Squeal - Screech, Scream
Plow up - Pull
LITERARY DEVICES USED IN THE POEM�