Apple-Picking by Robert Frost: Theme Analysis
Juan Pullin Pullin 1
Prof. Minner
English 1302_DCR
April 2, 2014
After Apple-Picking Theme Analysis The poem After Apple-Picking by Robert Frost reveals to us a theme about death and the ambitions we have while we live. Frost uses symbolism by using objects and actions as representation for things that we may come across in our own lives. His use of symbolism is shown by hard work, his desire to sleep, and barrels of apples. Frost’s use of symbolism reflects his theme of our lives ambitions and death. Frost’s first use of symbolism involves his experience of hard work which can be represented by his action of picking apples from a tree. Frost tells us of his actions of picking apples to be tiresome and proceeds to explain to us about a barrel that he sees to be empty. Frost goes on tell us about how tired he feels while picking apples from the tree which could conclude how tired he must feel from working labor in his life and that he wishes for it to end. Pullin 2
Frost’s second use of symbolism is shown as his desire to sleep. His desire to sleep could be interpreted as means to end his life due to his phrasing of his words “long sleep”. He also goes on to describe the type of sleep he desires by calling it “whatever type of sleep” which we can conclude not only does he feel exhausted, but also accepts the idea of death so that he may not have to endure the feeling of exhaustion.
Frost’s last use of symbolism is represented by the use of barrels that he sees. Frost states that he encounter a barrel while he is picking apples from the tree and goes on to describe it to be empty or hardly filled with a few apples on the ground beside it. He uses symbolism in this instance to describe his regret by not putting those apples in the barrel. This lack of action is in coloration to the opportunities that Frost never took in his life.
In conclusion, Frost’s use of symbolism in this short story can reflect his feelings and
Prof. Minner
English 1302_DCR
April 2, 2014
After Apple-Picking Theme Analysis The poem After Apple-Picking by Robert Frost reveals to us a theme about death and the ambitions we have while we live. Frost uses symbolism by using objects and actions as representation for things that we may come across in our own lives. His use of symbolism is shown by hard work, his desire to sleep, and barrels of apples. Frost’s use of symbolism reflects his theme of our lives ambitions and death. Frost’s first use of symbolism involves his experience of hard work which can be represented by his action of picking apples from a tree. Frost tells us of his actions of picking apples to be tiresome and proceeds to explain to us about a barrel that he sees to be empty. Frost goes on tell us about how tired he feels while picking apples from the tree which could conclude how tired he must feel from working labor in his life and that he wishes for it to end. Pullin 2
Frost’s second use of symbolism is shown as his desire to sleep. His desire to sleep could be interpreted as means to end his life due to his phrasing of his words “long sleep”. He also goes on to describe the type of sleep he desires by calling it “whatever type of sleep” which we can conclude not only does he feel exhausted, but also accepts the idea of death so that he may not have to endure the feeling of exhaustion.
Frost’s last use of symbolism is represented by the use of barrels that he sees. Frost states that he encounter a barrel while he is picking apples from the tree and goes on to describe it to be empty or hardly filled with a few apples on the ground beside it. He uses symbolism in this instance to describe his regret by not putting those apples in the barrel. This lack of action is in coloration to the opportunities that Frost never took in his life.
In conclusion, Frost’s use of symbolism in this short story can reflect his feelings and