Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though:

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound’s the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

বরফে ঢাকা এক সন্ধ্যায় কাঠবনের পাশে দাঁড়িয়ে
রবার্ট ফ্রস্ট

আমি জানি এই জঙ্গলের মালিক কে।
তাঁর বাড়ি আছে গ্রামে যদিও।
তিনি দেখবেন না আমি থেমে আছি এখানে
বরফে ঢাকা বনভূমি দেখার আশে।

আমার ছোট্ট ঘোড়াটি ভাবছে বোধহয় অদ্ভুত
এমন জায়গায় থামা যেখানে নেই কোনো কুটির বা গৃহস্থালির ছুঁত।
বনের ধারে আর হিমায়িত হ্রদের পাশে
এই বছরের সবচেয়ে অন্ধকার সন্ধ্যায় বসে।

সে তার ঘন্টি বাজিয়ে কাঁপে
জানাতে চায় কি ভুল করেছি তবে?
শুধু শোনা যায় সহজ হাওয়ার স্বর
আর নরম তুষারপাতের মৃদু জড়ানো চর।

এই বনভূমি বড় সুন্দর, গম্ভীর আর গভীর।
কিন্তু আমার আছে কিছু প্রতিশ্রুতি রক্ষার অধিকার,
আর অনেক পথ পেরোতে হবে ঘুম আসার আগে,
আর অনেক পথ পেরোতে হবে ঘুম আসার আগে।

Theme: Robert Frost’s “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” explores the contrast between the allure of nature’s peaceful beauty and the responsibilities of daily life. The woods symbolize a tempting escape from the world, but the speaker is reminded of his duties. Ultimately, the poem reflects on the balance between personal desires and life’s obligations.

থিম: রবার্ট ফ্রস্টের “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” কবিতাটি প্রকৃতির শান্ত সৌন্দর্য এবং জীবনের দায়িত্বের মধ্যে দ্বন্দ্বকে তুলে ধরে। বন এখানে এক প্রলোভনময় নির্জনতার প্রতীক, যেখানে কবি হারিয়ে যেতে চান, কিন্তু তাঁর প্রতিশ্রুতি তাঁকে ফিরিয়ে আনে। এই কবিতা ইচ্ছা ও কর্তব্যের মাঝে ভারসাম্য রক্ষার ভাবনাকে প্রতিফলিত করে।

Summary: The speaker pauses by a quiet, snowy forest on a dark winter evening, admiring its beauty and stillness. He realizes the woods belong to someone who lives in the village and won’t notice his stop. His horse, confused by the unexpected halt, shakes its harness bells as if questioning the pause. The calm and silent snowfall creates a peaceful but enchanting atmosphere. However, the speaker reminds himself that he has promises to keep and a long journey ahead before he can rest.

সারাংশ: কবি এক বরফে ঢাকা সন্ধ্যায় নির্জন বনভূমির পাশে থেমে দাঁড়ান এবং তার সৌন্দর্যে বিমুগ্ধ হন  তিনি জানেন এই বন কার, কিন্তু মালিক গ্রামে থাকেন বলে বুঝতে পারবেন না কবি এখানে থেমেছেন  হঠাৎ থেমে যাওয়ায় তাঁর ঘোড়া অবাক হয়ে ঘণ্টা বাজায় যেন জিজ্ঞেস করছে, ভুল হয়েছে কি না। চারপাশে নীরবতা আর তুষারের শান্ত পতন এক মোহময় পরিবেশ সৃষ্টি করে  কিন্তু কবি মনে করিয়ে দেন, তাঁর কিছু প্রতিশ্রুতি পালন করতে হবে এবং ঘুমানোর আগে অনেক পথ চলা বাকি।

Answer the following questions.

(a) What is the central theme of “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening?”

(b) What does the sound of the harness bells represent in “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening?”

(c) “But I have promises to keep. And miles to go before I sleep.” Explain these two lines with reference to the metaphors used in them.

(d) Where do you think the poet is going? Why is he going there?

(e) Why did the poet stop by the woods though it was dark and he was alone?

(f) Guess what promise the poet had to keep before he could sleep.

(g) Write an imaginary dialogue between the poet and his horse.

(h) Identify and explain a metaphor used in the poem.

(i) What does the poet mean by “The woods are lovely, dark, and deep”?

(j) How does the poet describe the evening as the darkest of the year?

(k) How does the horse’s behavior reflect the poet’s inner conflict?

(l) What does the phrase “easy wind and downy flakes” suggest about the setting?

(m) What do you think the woods symbolize in the poem?

(n) What role does repetition play in the poem?

(o) If you were the poet, how would you feel while standing by the woods on a snowy evening?

Answer

(a) The central theme of “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” is the peaceful solitude and beauty of nature. The poem also reflects the speaker’s contemplation of life and responsibilities, as he is drawn to the serene woods but must continue his journey.

(b) The sound of the harness bells represents the return to reality and the speaker’s sense of duty. It breaks the quiet and peaceful moment in the woods, reminding the speaker of the obligations and responsibilities that he must fulfill before he can rest.

(c) The “promises to keep” metaphor represents obligations, while “miles to go before I sleep” suggests the tasks remaining before final rest. Both emphasize the importance of fulfilling duties before finding peace.

(d) The poet seems to be traveling towards a destination that he has obligations or responsibilities to fulfill. He is likely going there to meet personal or professional commitments, as hinted by the “promises to keep.”

(e) The poet stopped by the woods to admire their serene and enchanting beauty. Despite the darkness and solitude, the peaceful atmosphere and the falling snow captivated him, offering a momentary escape from the burdens of his journey.

(f) The promises could symbolize the poet’s responsibilities in life—his duties to others, his work, or personal goals he must achieve before he can rest. “Sleep” might also metaphorically refer to the end of life, suggesting a broader commitment to fulfilling life’s purpose.

(g) Horse: “Why have we stopped here? There’s no farmhouse nearby and it’s getting darker!”

Poet: “I know, my little friend. I just wanted to pause for a moment and admire these lovely woods filling with snow.”

Horse: “But isn’t it odd to stop here, in the middle of nowhere? Don’t we have far to go?”

Poet: “Yes, we do. But sometimes, even inside peace can bring peace to a weary soul. Don’t worry, we’ll be on our way soon.”

Horse: “Alright, but don’t forget the promises you made. We’ve got miles to go before we sleep.”

Poet: “I won’t forget. Let’s go now, my faithful companion.”

(h) The phrase “miles to go before I sleep” is a metaphor. Here, “miles” represents the poet’s remaining responsibilities or tasks, and “sleep” symbolizes rest or possibly death, emphasizing the journey and commitments he must complete before resting.

(i) The poet is captivated by the beauty and mystery of the woods. They represent peace, solitude, and the temptation to rest or escape from the burdens of life, but the poet acknowledges that he cannot linger there.

(j) The phrase “darkest evening of the year” might refer to the winter solstice, symbolizing not only physical darkness but also a moment of introspection and emotional depth during a challenging journey.

(k) The horse shaking its harness bells as if questioning the stop mirrors the poet’s own awareness of the impracticality of pausing during his journey. It reflects the tension between his desire to rest and his sense of duty.

(l) The phrase suggests a tranquil and serene winter scene, with gentle winds and soft snowflakes falling. It creates a peaceful atmosphere, contrasting with the poet’s inner sense of urgency.

(m) The woods symbolize peace, solitude, and the allure of rest or escape. They also represent the beauty of nature and the temptation to pause and immerse oneself in its tranquility, even when there are responsibilities to fulfill.

(n) The repetition of the line “And miles to go before I sleep” emphasizes the poet’s sense of duty and the inevitability of continuing his journey. It underscores the contrast between the peaceful woods and the commitments that drive him forward.

(o) If I were the poet, I would feel a mix of emotions—calm and awe at the beauty of the woods, but also a sense of urgency and responsibility to move forward. The peaceful setting might offer a brief moment of reflection before resuming the journey.