A study of marriage relationships in selected poems of Robert Frost

Abstract

Since many of Robert Frost's dramatic and lyrical poems are concerned with domestic situations, this paper is a study of the factors which contribute to successful relationships between husband and wife, and of those attitudes which can produce disappointment in marriage. In general, meaningful man-woman relationships were found to be based on these attitudes: a special rapport or intuitive insight which existed between two people; the idea that two-united are sufficient unto themselves, and can exist in a private world unconcerned with the opinion of others; the mutual acceptance of responsibility which requires the willingness to sacrifice for the mate's happiness; and, the delight and wisdom which a couple may receive from shared experiences. Conversely, certain other factors had a detrimental effect on the unity of husband-wife relationships. These concepts were: the thwarted desire for a child, the failure of husbands to understand the emotional needs of their wives, and the inability of women to resolve their own inner conflicts or frustrations.