로버트 프로스트 시에 나타난 ‘사랑’의 의미

Abstract

In his poem “Birches,” Robert Frost says that “Earth’s the right place for love.” This assertion sounds unexpected, because readers cannot find appropriate contexts for the assertion. This study tries to trace hidden contexts to define what Frost means by ‘love.’ Many of his poems are structured with pairs or pairing of contraries and opposites. Contraries prevail in both the natural and human worlds. Frost does not make any attempts to reveal when, where, and how the contraries were created. They just exist in the worlds to regulate some existential conditions. Contraries usually result in conflicts, but also create meanings. Love results from the contraries, or the reconciliation and interplays of contraries. When people are not exclusive or do not try to homogenize others in the face of contraries, and when they ‘go by contraries,’ they can experience love. Love is creative acts and choices in going by contraries, which Frost means by love. Without love, life can lead to a chaotic void. Love gives an order and orientation to a world which exists and runs in contraries and opposites. According to Frost, the earth consists of contraries and people must touch the earth. This is why earth is the right place for love.