On Grief and Reason - Brooks Anderson
Brodsky’s essays are centered around Robert Frost and his writing style, as well as his background. Much like Brodsky, moving in chronological order, the article begins with a brief crash course in the literary career of Robert Frost. The depth of analysis into rather boring concepts makes the entire article come together quite nicely in terms of pacing. One of the first lines references the fact that it is indeed a translation, and it may be course on american ears. Brodsky’s primary observation regarding Frost seems to be that he is “Versed in country things,” for lack of a better phrase. According to Brodsky, Frost was most at home when he wrote about nature. However, this does not preclude him from an affinity with human nature. Part of Brodsky’s observation in “Home Burial” focuses on only one and a half lines which, in Brodsky’s expert opinion, constitute a poem in and of itself. This essay revolutionizes the way we can view Frost’s work in only the first two pages. Frost is a rare occurrence where an artist’s value is appreciated before their death. Picasso and F. Scott Fitzgerald both died before their success could reach its peak. How then, should we interpret any somber poem written at the end of Frost’s life? Brodsky describes him as a happy man, so nothing depressing would ever be as genuine as Edgar Allen Poe, but the background alone causes us to cast Frost’s later works in an entirely new light. Not to mention all the new perspectives which are the focus of the heart of the essay. Brodsky’s breakdown of Frost’s works were truly exemplary, and the stream of consciousness style of writing makes the entire process more achievable, as opposed to other writings on the subject. The difference is that this method allows us to see the Brodsky second guess himself as he verifies his claims. Those are the ways that Brodsky makes us see Frost and his work in an entirely new light. We now understand Frost's perspective better, and we have a now understanding of the critical reading process.
I really enjoy your comparisons of Frost to other writers and even an artist. I agree with what you said about Frost's works being interpreted in a different way because he was a poet appreciated while he was still alive, and I appreciate what you say about Brodsky's writing allowing us to see him second guess himself, which I'm sure is something we all do in our own writing.
ReplyDeleteIt never would have occurred to me to connect nature with human nature. I usually keep them completely spate, but I enjoyed the comparison of the two. It added anther level of meaning to both the poem and the article.
ReplyDeleteI love how you make reference to Edgar Allan Poe when discussing dark poetry. I like the idea that the author's personal experience can lend to their ethos. Brodsky truly does exemplify explication within his work. In a strange way his lack of assurance lends itself even further to his credibility.
ReplyDeleteI like how you analyse the common perception of Frost and delve into Brodsky's assertion that what Frost was on the surface was not necessarily what he was on the inside. I also like how you recognised the assertion that while Frost was in touch with nature, that also made him in touch with human nature, and that this connection influenced his works.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to see that you've touched on the life aspects of Frost from the essays rather than just sticking to Frost's work alone. You were able to piece together a mental image of Frost's character in the sense of his overall nature on life, might I even say you did so much easier to follow than Brodsky. The more I read these differing and interesting blog posts, the easier it becomes to piece it all together.
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