International Journal of English Literature and Social Sciences

Vol-8, Issue-2; Mar-Apr, 2023

Journal Home Page Available: https://ijels.com/

Journal DOI: 10.22161/ijels

Comparative Analysis of Stopping by Woods on A Snowy

Evening and Lines Written a Few Miles above Tintern
Abbey, on Revisiting the Banks of the Wye during a Tour,
July 13, 1798
Hema. R1, Sunil K Mishra2
1Student, BA (H) English, Semester IV, Amity School of Liberal Arts, Amity University, Haryana, India
2Associate Professor of English, Amity School of Liberal Arts, Amity University Haryana, India

Received: 14 Mar 2023; Received in revised form: 13 Apr 2023; Accepted: 24 Apr 2023; Available online: 30 Apr 2023
©2023 The Author(s). Published by Infogain Publication. This is an open access article under the CC BY license
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Abstract— The present paper attempts to compare and analyze two marvelous poems of all time, ‘Lines
Written a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey, on Revisiting the Banks of the Wye during a Tour, July 13, 1798’
and ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’ composed by the two highly philosophical poets William
Wordsworth, who was a stalwart in the galaxy of Romantic poetry and the most celebrated American poet
of 20th century, Robert Frost. The comparison has been made based on the themes, structure, poetic
temperament and setting so as to bring differences and similarities between the poems.
Objective of study
• To bring out the comparative analysis between the poems.
• To understand the poems deeply and understand the essence to see the similarities and differences of
the poems.
• To bring out the conclusions out of this comparative study.
• To understand the different structures and styles of the poems to understand its uniqueness.
Keywords— banks, poems, Robert Frost, panorama.

I. INTRODUCTION health in nature. The writing style of Robert Frost displays

The writings of Robert Frost are connected to a great degree artistic detachment from his writing and in the case of
with the life and panorama of New England. In his poems William Wordsworth there is a clear involvement of himself
he gives a detailed portrayal of landscape arena by adoption in the content and themes of his poetry. Robert Frost is
of straight, vernacular expressions. The poems of Robert skillfully simple whereas William Wordsworth is truly
Frost transpire as reflections on prevalent subject matter. He unsophisticated. Robert Frost is sensible, knowledgeable,
throws himself into poetic instinct using pure natural world and rational. On the other hand, William Wordsworth is a
as an inlet in relation to attainment of the all-inclusive. dreamer, delightful and enchanting. Robert Frost's poetry
begins with joy and ends with deep insight, whereas
Although both poets see nature in different ways there are
William Wordsworth's poetry starts with amusement and
some aspects which are clearly the same. William
ends with amusement and pleasure.
Wordsworth stands exceptionally as a poet of nature as he
William Wordsworth is the exemplary personality of the
is the worshipper of Nature. His view of nature is original,
Romantic Movement in England. The Romantic Movement
new, and full-fledged. Unlike William Wordsworth, Robert
of the 19th century started as a revolt against the classical
Frost finds no sustaining power or source of joy and moral

IJELS-2023, 8(3), (ISSN: 2456-7620) (Int. J of Eng. Lit. and Soc. Sci.)
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Hema. R and Mishra . Comparative Analysis of Stopping by Woods on A Snowy Evening and Lines Written
a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey, on Revisiting the Banks of the Wye during a Tour, July 13, 1798

age. The eighteenth-century poets who had put more art behind the simplicity projected in his poetry. Most of his
emphasis on ‘wit’ and ‘reason’ and William Wordsworth in poems are open to more than one interpretation. The opulent
contrast with them used to prioritize on ‘imagination’. And features of his poems gives them a rich texture which gives
by usage of creativity and imagination William Wordsworth the poems an ever-lasting status. Undoubtedly the most
formed beauty out of common things. In the poem, “Lines suitable examples are the poems “Stopping by Woods on a
Written a Few miles above Tintern Abbey, on revisiting the Snowy Evening” and “Birches”.
Banks of the Wye during a Tour, July 13, 1798,” William The philosophy of William Wordsworth on human life
Wordsworth saw the beauty of the flowing stream, describes that the human being is very much part of nature.
submerged and majestic rock face through his poetic vision. He believes that usually in childhood the man is sensitive to
He was exuberantly fascinated at the sparkling resonation all natural influences because of the purity he holds during
of the flowing estuary. Here, he says, that phase, and he is an epitome of the blissfulness and
Once again aesthetics of the world. William Wordsworth explains this
Do I behold those steep and lofty cliffs delightfulness and this perceptiveness towards Nature by
the philosophy that the child comes straight from the
That on a wild secluded scene impress
Creator of Nature. This premiership with nature and with
Thoughts of more deep seclusion and connect God and which glorifies childhood, extending through a
The landscape with quiet of the sky. man’s entire life and elevate it. This is the teaching of the
poem “Tintern Abbey” which displays the best part of
human life shown due to realistic impact. According to
In this poem, the poet seems that the nature as a remedy. William Wordsworth, people become perverted and
William Wordsworth is able to feel and recollect the weakened due to association with the unnatural life and
existence of nature throughout his imagination and crowded environment in the cities so the only way to
memory with high sensibility presented in the form of overcome this miserable way of life is to return to a natural
poetry even in the absence of nature around him. He says, and simple way of living. Nature stands supreme in William
In lonely rooms and ‘mid the din Wordsworth’s poetry, and he establishes the union between
humans and nature as human beings and nature are never
Of towns and cities, I have owned to them
distant from each other and are closely related. Whereas in
In hours of weariness, sensation sweet. the case of Robert Frost we see that nature has been made
In his poetry Robert Frost expresses the harmonious, all- subordinate to humans and because of this, it becomes hard
knowing, and free-spirited Inhabitant whom every Yankee to address Robert Frost as the poet of nature in consideration
desires of becoming. Robert Frost has exhibited with William Wordsworth. Moreover, Robert Frost himself
genuineness in his poetry and people acknowledged. He confesses that: “We have had nature poetry for a hundred
represents the modest life, and individuals in an years.” He is intrigued in discovering the dealings between
outrageously complicated society adhere to this. He nature and humans. It is true that both poets pursued comfort
exemplifies the forfeited vision of the purity in countryside and joy in nature.
of his fellow citizens who are trapped in the grindstone of Nature is a Healer for William Wordsworth, and he
sophisticated civilization, who can appreciate that describes healing abilities of nature in his poem “Tintern
irretrievable earlier time. Abbey”. Nature never betrays the heart that loved her says
William Wordsworth promotes the use of uncomplicated, William Wordsworth. Nature is hostile, malicious and
day-to-day language in poetry. His conception is that the spiteful to Robert Frost as it creates barriers to tranquility
poetry should be written in the language truly used by and satisfaction of human beings and social responsibilities.
country men and women. He wants poetry to speak the Even though he praises the woods in his poetry saying that
language of simple truth. they are lovely, dark and deep, he is of the opinion that
The same kind of similarity we see in Robert Frost’s poetry humans have duties to perform and have miles to go before
where he discloses the intricacies of pastoral life in the form they sleep and should not stay in nature for long.
of everyday expression. But many of his concise remarks ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’ is undoubtedly
are challenging to decipher as these indicate figurative the most celebrated poem of Robert Frost. Here the poet
themes unlike William Wordsworth who prefers simple shares with the readers his amazing experience in the woods
language. The body of his poetry appears simple and on a snowy evening.
ordinary but covey deep meaning that demands one’s Whose woods these are I think I know.
attention to introspect to understand clearly. There is a great
His house is in the village, though;

IJELS-2023, 8(3), (ISSN: 2456-7620) (Int. J of Eng. Lit. and Soc. Sci.)
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Hema. R and Mishra . Comparative Analysis of Stopping by Woods on A Snowy Evening and Lines Written
a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey, on Revisiting the Banks of the Wye during a Tour, July 13, 1798

He will not see me stopping here Or of some Hermit's cave, where by his fire
To watch his woods fill up with snow. The Hermit sits alone.
My little horse must think it queer Thematic Analysis of “Stopping by the woods in the Snowy
To stop without a farmhouse near Evening and Tintern Abbey, On Revisiting the Banks of
Wye during a Tour. July 13, 1798
Between the woods and frozen lake
The poem ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’
The darkest evening of the year.
creates the desire in the reader to undergo a deep sense
He gives his harness bells a shake philosophical understanding and thinking. The poem is in
To ask if there is some mistake relation to people in common who feels lost in the
pleasantness and calmness on his voyage of life and
The only other sounds the sweep
suddenly remembers his duties and other obligations that
Of easy wind and downy flake. need to be fulfilled and the goals that need to be achieved.
The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, The clash or disagreement is seen in the poem right from the
beginning of stanza and continues to further stanzas and gets
But I Have promises to keep,
sorted out in the end. There are continuously struggles going
And miles to go before I sleep, on which is very much in relation Sigmund Freud’s concept
And miles to go before I sleep. of id, ego and super ego of a man. The speaker is represented
to be embodiment of human nature and is carried away by a
tranquility of the nature and is drowned in his emotions in
William Wordsworth first visited the Wye Valley when he presence of the snowy woods, but his inner intuition
was 23 years old. After His return five years later William portrayed by ‘horse’ in the poem cause him to think that it
Wordsworth composed the poem Tintern abbey expressing is not a good idea for him to stay in a place just like that
his beliefs about nature, creativity, and the human soul. In without any reason to rest or desist. The horse is very much
Lyrical Ballads composed by Wordsworth and his friend relatable to man because the rider enjoys the ride and but
and fellow poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge., a 1798 collection sooner or later gets caught up in the ‘snow’ and ‘frozen lake’
of poems “Tintern Abbey” was included as the last poem. which is like an obstacle to keep from making further
Five years have past; five summers, with the length progress in life. In the snowy evening there can be dark,
Of five long winters! and again I hear deep and lovely woods but then the rider cannot cease to
stop because he has a long way to go in fact miles to go
These waters, rolling from their mountain-springs
before he sleeps. In this poem it is seen to get into two
With a soft inland murmur.—Once again opposite scenarios where he has to choose either ‘Woods’
Do I behold these steep and lofty cliffs, or ‘urban life’ indicating a conflict between being in a
society and spending time alone in the forest. And
That on a wild secluded scene impress
simultaneously between stopping and moving and
Thoughts of more deep seclusion; and connect succumbing and resisting. This state of being ambiguous
The landscape with the quiet of the sky. keeps the poem imperishable. The narrative sets up this
The day is come when I again repose subtle tension between the timeless attraction of the ‘lovely’
‘woods’ and the pressing obligations of present situation.
Here, under this dark sycamore, and view
It is these conflicts that is set up in the poem which helps in
These plots of cottage-ground, these orchard-tufts, maintaining the rhythm of the poem and implant it with
Which at this season, with their unripe fruits, closer study and understanding of the essence of the poem.
Are clad in one green hue, and lose themselves The final section of the poems sorts out the tussle between
choosing responsibility over the numbness and alluring
'Mid groves and copses. Once again I see
woods of the snowy evening environment.
These hedge-rows, hardly hedge-rows, little lines
The abstaining action of speaker in the poem is justified in
Of sportive wood run wild: these pastoral farms, the final lines of the poem. The speaker has a long way to
Green to the very door; and wreaths of smoke go in life before he surrenders to nature and give up the
association of this material world. The sayings of the
Sent up, in silence, from among the trees!
speaker had also inspired Jawaharlal Nehru (the first Prime
With some uncertain notice, as might seem minister of India) so much so that the last powerful lines of
Of vagrant dwellers in the houseless woods,

IJELS-2023, 8(3), (ISSN: 2456-7620) (Int. J of Eng. Lit. and Soc. Sci.)
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Hema. R and Mishra . Comparative Analysis of Stopping by Woods on A Snowy Evening and Lines Written
a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey, on Revisiting the Banks of the Wye during a Tour, July 13, 1798

poem were found written in his diary at his table in his actual portrayal of pictures that William Wordsworth
death. witnesses he is able to present to his readers the true
In the poem “Tintern Abbey” William Wordsworth is capacity of metaphysical representation of life. It is essential
inspired by nature ability to preserve the memories of past for William Wordsworth to illustrate the scene so that the
and present of one’s life. His experiences with nature are impact of five years past provides the reader with the way
conveyed in the poetry by usage of vivid imagery, narration- the mind is altered through time and perceptions can be
based composition and metaphysical figures of speech changed as one enters new stages of their life.
especially metaphors. This poetry also contains several
aspects that might connect to the sentiments of the readers. II. SETTINGS AND POETIC TEMPERAMENT
It is such a beautiful poem that people or readers have
Both the poems Tintern Abbey and Stopping by the Woods
retained the effect that it has created through nature that
in the Snowy Evening are encapsulated in the company of
leaves several beautiful impressions on the mind regarding
nature in solitude, totally distanced from urban life so to
the poetry.
entreat a reflective, pensive and recollective mood. Since
In solitude with nature and in the company of his sister time immemorial poets have highlighted wild and
Dorothy, William Wordsworth explored every aspect of tranquility as an ideal spot for reflecting one’s own
nature with complete deep understanding and introspecting sensibility. The Poets William Wordsworth and Robert
his ideas and fascination towards it. And this fascination of Frost have also disclosed the spokesperson to genuine
poet triggers the senses of the readers to look through the personality in that way they are counseled and enlightened
vision of poet and rejoice the experience that poet is trying by the Nature.
to convey through his poetry.
Themes of the 'Lines Composed a Few Miles above
The usage of imagery in Tintern abbey lays out a firm base Tintern Abbey, On Revisiting the Banks of the Wye during
for the readers to look upon the trying to decode the precise a Tour July 13, 1798′ and Stopping by the Woods in the
point of view and feeling that poet is presenting about nature Snowy Evening
and the natural environment. It would not have been
Nature is presented as the driving force for morality in this
possible for William Wordsworth to introspect his thoughts
poem composed by William Wordsworth. The poet
and emotions deeply and recreate his perceptions to his
describes that the association with nature invokes him to
readers without detailed exemplification of the scenery
perform good deeds and inspires him to make good
within which he is located or positioned.
decisions. He tells us the glories of nature in this poem, and
The following lines depict the poet’s expression in he is convinced by the fact that everything is in relation with
accordance with imperishable imagery. nature including human beings. Another important theme
Once again I see discussed in the poem 'Lines Composed a Few Miles above
These hedge-rows, hardly hedge-rows, little lines Tintern Abbey' is the description of the poet’s past. William
Wordsworth here first of all begins the poem by recollecting
Of sportive wood run wild; these pastoral farms,
his past memories mentioning the place that he visited five
Green to the very door; and wreathes of smoke years ago.
Sent up, in silence, from among the trees. The poet considers thoroughly his change of relationship
William Wordsworth is of the opinion that silence is can be with nature over time. During his early years his experience
an important ornament to connect and observe nature with nature was not so deep and profound as the way he
closely. And whatever action has to occur it is within looks back very affectionately now. He also relates this fact
William Wordsworth’s mind and imagination as he in relation to his sister Dorothy. With experience William
perceives nature in its true sense. So therefore, it is clear that Wordsworth has understood the significance of nature.
it is the nature and natural world that gives him a chance to However, he doesn’t forget his joyful and passionate
connect to the quietness and true beauty of nature. The youthful times.
presence of nature acts as a medium for William Human and Nature Relationship
Wordsworth to understand beauty and propensity to affect
In Robert Frost poetry we come across humans versus
the senses of individuals.
nature to be a common theme. At the beginning of the poem
William Wordsworth has adapted his mind in such a way “Stopping by Woods in the snowy evening” we can actually
that it contributes to his own personal growth in being able see the conflict occurring between nature and humans
to create amazing depictions of the setting even though there during the course of the poem where the speaker and his
is changelessness in impression of the scenery. With the horse halted at the woods in the snowy evening. Whereas

IJELS-2023, 8(3), (ISSN: 2456-7620) (Int. J of Eng. Lit. and Soc. Sci.)
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Hema. R and Mishra . Comparative Analysis of Stopping by Woods on A Snowy Evening and Lines Written
a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey, on Revisiting the Banks of the Wye during a Tour, July 13, 1798

William Wordsworth is asking us to take shelter of nature in revealing the truth which can be figured out with the
and explaining us the profound relationship between the perception of both subjective and objective approach.
nature and human beings. William Wordsworth’s poetry explains and makes the
Poetic Devices /Techniques, Symbols and Imagery readers understand the uniqueness of the same as mentioned
above.
It is noticed that Robert Frost is notable for making use of
diverse poetic devices in his poems. And, in this Poem In the poetry of William Wordsworth, we can learn that the
‘Stopping by the woods in the snowy evening’ several we need to connect to nature and be friendly to nature and
devices have been employed to describe and explain the how we can overcome everyday tensions by seeking solace
basic understanding of the poem. For instance, the usage of in nature and associating ourselves with nature. And Robert
wood in the poem is used for representation of the suburb Frost poetry showcases the approach where we got to seek
areas where the applicability of rules and regulations are relief in nature, wildlife and rustic life of rural people and
uncommon as the person is closer to nature and he is all by also employ ourselves in constant work and carry out our
himself surrounded by pure natural surroundings. And the duties and responsibilities.
description of snow and the frozen lake that is mentioned in
the poem depict the condition of getting tempted by one’s REFERENCES
own senses basically enjoying sense gratification from
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one’s own senses that leads to numbness of senses just like
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represent the passionate and conquering side of the human s-tintern-abbey-conveying-experience-through-nature
being. The usage of ‘Sleep’ in the last lines is used to [2] Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey
indicate the metaphor for death and living life is mentioned https://www.studysmarter.co.uk/explanations/english-
as ‘miles to go’ in the poem. The snow also brings up the literature/poets/lines-composed-a-few-miles-above-tintern-
usage of imagery as whiteness indicates stillness and abbey/
calmness. [3] Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost
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Revisiting the Banks of the Wye during a Tour July 13, snowyevening/themes#:~:text=The%20main%20themes%2
1798′ is majorly an ode because it is focused majorly on 0of,ideas%20into%20the%20natural%20world
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Wordsworth who is praising the countryside natural Evening and The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost © 2020 SP
environment. The Five stanza poem is composed of varying Publications -International Journal Of English and Studies
(IJOES)
lengths and the meter is much more consistent as it is written
[6] An International Peer-Reviewed Journal; Volume-2, Issue-8,
in blank verse.William Wordsworth effectively uses blank
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verse in the poem for its rhythmic and balanced flow which [7] https://www.academia.edu/44355756/A_Comparative_study
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AIJRHASS
III. CONCLUSION http://iasir.net/AIJRHASSpapers/AIJRHASS14-687.pdf
Robert Frost has excelled in presenting prevalent themes
like the one given here. He has showcased a prominent
flexibility of the theme that conveys a great message to
human kind. Both the poems analyze human nature and
conclude by the fact that human mentality is naturally
subject to uncertainty and has the propensity to alter and
transform. Robert Frost was able to glorify the rural setting
and natural imagery with the usage of symbolic and
metaphysical elements which make the poem very charming
with global relevance. Whereas William Wordsworth
brings exceptional experience in his poetry that the readers
are able to connect to heightened sensibility of the poem
through imagination. Therefore, imagination plays a key
role in poetry of Wordsworth as it is vital aspect that helps

IJELS-2023, 8(3), (ISSN: 2456-7620) (Int. J of Eng. Lit. and Soc. Sci.)
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