Plowmen
By Robert Lee Frost
A plow, they say, to plow the snow.
They cannot mean to plant it, though —
Unless in bitterness to mock
At having cultivated rock.
Poem Analysis:
Robert Frost's Plowmen is a short but thought-provoking poem that delves into themes of labor, the harshness of nature, and the struggle between human ambition and the unforgiving environment. Frost often explores the connection between humans and nature in his poetry, and in Plowmen, he continues this exploration, presenting a seemingly simple action — plowing — as a metaphor for deeper human experiences and challenges.
Context and Background
Robert Frost, known for his poems about rural life and nature, often used the natural world to reflect on complex human emotions and struggles. His work is rooted in the New England landscape, but his themes resonate universally, dealing with universal human concerns such as isolation, perseverance, and the inherent contradictions of life.
In Plowmen, Frost appears to engage with the idea of labor in a metaphorical way. The poem’s brevity and its directness reflect the often unspoken hardships of manual labor, while the use of nature as both a literal and metaphorical backdrop offers a subtle commentary on human efforts against forces beyond our control.
Structure and Tone
The poem consists of a single, short stanza, which is typical of many of Frost’s more reflective works. This concise structure allows the poem to have an impact despite its brevity, leaving readers with a lingering sense of ambiguity and contemplation. The tone is contemplative and slightly ironic, as Frost juxtaposes the seemingly practical action of plowing with the bitter futility of attempting to cultivate snow — something inherently impossible.
The ironic tone is clear in the phrase "Unless in bitterness to mock," which reflects a sense of frustration or futility. This bitterness may be an indication of the harsh realities of labor or an exploration of the human tendency to persist in endeavors even when they seem doomed to failure.
Imagery and Metaphor
"A plow, they say, to plow the snow."
The image of plowing snow is a striking and ironic one. Typically, plows are used to cultivate soil, to break the earth and prepare it for planting. However, snow, which is cold, impermanent, and barren, cannot be cultivated in the same way. By presenting the image of a plow being used on snow, Frost immediately sets up a metaphor for the futility of certain human efforts. It hints at the possibility of misguided efforts, or labor that, no matter how hard one works, can never bear fruit.
"They cannot mean to plant it, though — Unless in bitterness to mock"
The phrase "They cannot mean to plant it" further emphasizes the absurdity of the action. The idea of planting snow is an impossibility, and Frost is suggesting that the plowing of snow is similarly futile. The reference to "bitterness" and "mocking" introduces the idea that the plowmen’s labor might not have any productive outcome, highlighting the frustration that often accompanies the human endeavor to shape nature. This "mockery" may also hint at the cruelty of the natural world that humans must contend with — a world that does not accommodate human intentions or desires.
"At having cultivated rock."
Frost uses the metaphor of cultivating rock as a symbol of the struggle between human labor and the natural world. Rocks are hard, unyielding, and immovable, and attempting to cultivate them is a futile endeavor. Similarly, plowing snow (which is fleeting and uncontrollable) is an effort in vain. Frost seems to be questioning the value of labor that does not lead to growth or tangible results. Cultivating rock could also symbolize the human tendency to work against overwhelming forces that cannot be changed, mirroring the futility of trying to impose one's will on nature.
Themes and Interpretation
- Futility of Human Effort: One of the central themes of Plowmen is the futility of certain human endeavors. The plowing of snow represents a task that is inherently pointless — no matter how much effort is put into it, there is no way for snow to "grow" or bear fruit. This metaphor could represent various aspects of life where individuals engage in actions that ultimately yield no lasting results. It may refer to the futility of some human efforts in nature, in relationships, or in any endeavor where there is no control over the outcome. It reflects a broader existential question about the purpose of effort when the results are predetermined or unattainable.
- Struggle Against Nature: The image of the plowmen attempting to cultivate snow can also be read as a commentary on the human struggle against nature. In much of Frost’s poetry, nature is depicted as both beautiful and harsh, indifferent to human concerns. Here, the attempt to work with snow — a substance that resists cultivation — suggests that human attempts to shape or control the natural world often end in failure. The "rock" mentioned at the end of the poem deepens this theme, symbolizing the immovable, unyielding aspects of nature that defy human will.
- Labor and Hardship: Another theme in Plowmen is the nature of manual labor and the difficulties that come with it. The plowman’s task of plowing snow can be seen as a metaphor for hard work that does not lead to meaningful or productive results. This is a reflection of the harshness of labor, especially when the work seems futile or unrewarding. Frost often wrote about the unromantic aspects of rural life, and this poem could be read as a reflection on the hardships and frustrations of agricultural labor.
- Bitterness and Irony: The line "Unless in bitterness to mock" introduces a sense of irony and bitterness into the poem. Frost seems to imply that the act of plowing snow might not be a genuine attempt to cultivate, but rather a cynical or bitter gesture — an attempt to engage in something meaningful, but ultimately futile. This may point to the human tendency to engage in actions that serve no real purpose, yet are done out of necessity or habit, even when the outcome is already known.
Plowmen is a compact yet powerful meditation on the nature of human labor, the struggle against nature, and the futility of certain efforts. Through the image of plowing snow, Frost suggests that there are some tasks that, no matter how much effort is put into them, are ultimately meaningless or unattainable. The poem explores the idea of futile labor in a world that often seems indifferent to human intentions, and it raises larger questions about the value and purpose of effort in a world where outcomes are not always within our control. With its use of irony, metaphor, and vivid imagery, Plowmen invites readers to reflect on the complexity of human endeavor and the harsh realities of the natural world.