The Sound of Trees

1. The Sound of Trees By: Robert Frost Presented By: Erika Mallaganes and Maria Orozco

2. Background Robert Frost • According to the Atlantic he was a regular contributor and published 31 of his poems in the magazine. • Moved around a lot. In the US he moved to San Francisco, New Hampshire, Virginia, North Carolina, New York, Michigan, and Maine. Outside of the US he traveled tp England, Scotland and Soviet Union. The Sound of Trees • Final piece to the book Mountain Interval (published November 27, 1916) • “This poem, like much of his verse, paid homage to the natural world while teasing out hidden, sometimes darker, meanings.” (The Atlantic) • 1900- Robert Frost's son dies along with his mother. • 1901- Robert frost's grandfather dies. • 1907- Robert Frost's daughter Elinor Bettina is born on June 18 and dies on June 21. • 1911- Robert Frost decides to sell his farm • 1912- He decides to live in England and take his family along. • He was suffering from many deaths in his family and he finally decided to move to another place to leave back those memories although there were so many memories there, it might have been difficult for him to move to England because of that.

3. The Sound of Trees By Robert Frost I wonder about the trees. A Why do we wish to bear Forever the noise of these A More than another noise So close to our dwelling place? B We suffer them by the day Till we lose all measure of pace, B And fixity in our joys, And acquire a listening air. They are that that talks of going C But never gets away; D And that talks no less for knowing, C As it grows wiser and older, That now it means to stay. D My feet tug at the floor E And my head sways to my shoulder Sometimes when I watch trees sway, D From the window or the door. E I shall set forth for somewhere, I shall make the reckless choice F Some day when they are in voice F And tossing so as to scare The white clouds over them on. E I shall have less to say, But I shall be gone. E

4. Title Before • The noise the trees made when the wind hit them • Audio Imagery • There would be a comparison between the quietness of the tree and nature with those who see the beauty in nature have a stillness to them as they observe nature. • The sound of trees can be due to the wind. Branches moving, leaves are falling. This can lead to a theme of people trying to find their peace and tranquility. After • The sound of trees could make a sound that seems like they are speaking to the humans surrounding them. Someone could be used to living at one place they have been living for a long time and might not want to move on. Some people are afraid to make a wrong decision.

5. Paraphrase The speaker wonders about the noise the tree makes. Why do people wish to continue to grow the trees while they want to leave. The trees continue to make noise as they wish to leave but do not take much action. They are held there because of their roots. The speaker seems to be gaining the tree-like qualities as he considers the possibility of leaving. The speaker describes the trees as being a disturbance to the surroundings or to the people because the trees are moving like if they want to leave somewhere far, encouraging them to do the same. The trees end up not leaving because their roots are stuck on the ground. In the end, in contrast to the trees the speaker declares to not speak as “loudly” as the trees and will never return.

6. Connotation • Symbolism (the trees) Within the poem the trees represent the people and their desire to leave but their duties or roots hold them back. • Personification (the trees) They are given the human quality of speaking (noise) wanting to leave where they are but never take action. • Connotation (line 15) The word ‘tug’ gives the reader the idea that the speaker cannot leave because he is being pulled down by force to escape where he lives. • Rhetorical question (line 2-5) It is a question asking why the noises of the trees always sounding at the place they live. This could mean the people belong to the homes they are accustomed to where they live at. • Personification (line 13) The trees are being personified as being wiser and growing older. just like people that the longer they have been living at a certain place, the more difficult it is to let go. • Diction (line 17) The author uses the word “trees sway” to give the impression that the trees are wanting to go towards their freedom.

7. Tone Shift • In the beginning the speakers tone is confused and bewildered. He asks the question “why do we wish to bear forever the noise of these more than another noise so close to our dwelling place.” He wants to know the truth behind the peoples acceptance to the tress noise and never question why they do not stop, • The shift turns to desperate. The noise of the trees of imprinted into his mind and begins to think similarly to the trees as he now wants to leave as well. • The tone finally ends as self-assured and optimistic because he now is confident in the idea of leaving. While the trees continue to speak of leaving, the speaker takes action and go never looking back. Confused/Bewildered Desperate Self-assured/ Optimistic

8. Theme The theme of the poem is the difficulties of leaving your roots. Some people may be afraid to take risks, but it is always good to get out of one's comfort zone to discover new things in life. The trees demonstrates that due to our environment it can be difficult to move on. The speaker gives the contrast that it should be ones own choice to leave.

9. Criticism 1 • Page 97 (top) • Frost wants to go somewhere else or take a new path in which he will feel like he is living, but chooses not to. • Page 98 (middle) • The winter trees can be seen as negative, but the sound of the summer leaves gives a sound almost like if they are talking to the people to courage them to enjoy life or do something different.

10. Criticism 2 • Personification is placed throughout the poem. • The movement of the trees swaying from side to side signifies the trees trying to pick up their trunks and leave. • The conversations the trees have are meaningless to the people who hear it because they know nothing will be done. • The speaker mentions that his departure will only happen in a way that would not influence others. • - The trees are planning to leave and moving around to get their freedom and they are influencing their surroundings. • "I shall set forth for somewhere, i shall make the reckless choice." • -The roots is a barrier of the trees that prevents them to leave. • -The trees belong there like people who have lived or been in a place for a long time making it dificult to leave that place. • -The trees are an encouragement for the people to leave as well. • -The conflict between duty and imagination is the theme according to this critic. • -Imagination- Dreams • -Duty- Family and community • Responsibilities are most likely to be forgotten. • -It ends in a question.

11. Additional Interpretations • The speaker deals with isolation. • People are mesmerized by nature. Because it keeps us rooted we learn the value of staying put. • Robert Frost gives the idea of the joys of the simple life. • “And that talks no less for knowing, As it grows wiser and older” can be seen as you can only become wiser through your own experiences.