In "Home Burial," Robert Frost presents the reader with a poignant and powerful depiction of a couple struggling to come to terms with the loss of their child. Through a close analysis of the poem line by line, we can gain a deeper understanding of the emotions and dynamics at play within the relationship, as well as the broader themes of grief, communication, and the nature of human relationships.
The opening lines of the poem immediately set the tone for the conflict to come, as the husband and wife stand "face to face" in the "lowering" and "darkening" bedroom. The physical distance between them is mirrored by the emotional distance that has grown in the wake of their loss, and the use of the word "lowering" suggests a sense of heaviness and despair that hangs over the scene.
As the husband begins to speak, it becomes clear that he is struggling to find the right words to express his grief and anger. He is "hard" and "impatient" with his wife, and his words are "sharp" and "bitter." He accuses her of being "cold" and "unmoved" by their child's death, and of not understanding his own pain. The use of harsh language and accusations suggests a deep sense of resentment and misunderstanding between the two.
The wife, for her part, is equally unable to find the right words to express her own feelings. She is "speechless" and "motionless," unable to defend herself against her husband's accusations. The use of the word "speechless" suggests a sense of despair and hopelessness, as if she has given up on the possibility of being understood or finding common ground with her husband.
As the poem progresses, we see the couple's inability to communicate and connect with one another only deepen. The husband is "fierce" and "indignant," lashing out at his wife in an attempt to make her understand his pain. The wife is "stiller" and more resigned, accepting her husband's anger but unable to respond in kind. The use of these oppositional words suggests the growing divide between the two, as they seem to be trapped in a cycle of misunderstanding and anger.
Despite their inability to communicate, it is clear that both the husband and wife are deeply affected by the loss of their child. The husband is "wild" with grief, while the wife is "stunned" and "unable to see." The use of these words suggests a deep sense of shock and disbelief that comes with the realization of their loss.
Through the use of vivid and evocative language, Frost is able to convey the depth of emotion and the complex dynamics at play within the relationship. The poem speaks to the universal experience of grief and the challenges of communication and connection that come with it. It is a powerful and moving portrayal of the human experience in the face of loss.
