Class : 9 - Unit 1 - Poem - Stopping By woods on a snowy evening - by Robert Frost

 Class : 9 - Unit 1 - Poem - Stopping By woods on a snowy evening -   by Robert Frost

1. Have you ever travelled through a forest? How did you feel?

Yes, I have traveled through a forest. It was a mesmerizing experience filled with the sounds of rustling leaves, chirping birds, and the fresh, earthy scent of nature. The towering trees and the peaceful environment made me feel both excited and calm at the same time.

2. Did you have any time to stop and enjoy the beauty of the forest?

Yes, I had some time to stop and enjoy the beauty of the forest. I admired the lush greenery, listened to the gentle sounds of nature, and felt the cool breeze on my face. It was a refreshing break from the busy pace of daily life, allowing me to connect with nature and appreciate its serene beauty.

POEM :

Stopping By woods on a snowy evening - by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound’s the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

About the author

Robert Frost

(1874-1968) was an American poet noted for his realistic descriptions of rural life. Born on 26 March 1874, he spent his first 40 years as an unknown entity. He received four Pulitzer prizes for poetry and was a special guest at President John F. Kennedy‘s inauguration. Frost became a poetic force and the unofficial Poet Laureate of the United States. Some of his famous works are The Road Not Taken, West Running Brook, Mending Wall, After Apple Picking etc.

Summary of the poem:

"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost is a beautiful poem about a traveler who stops his horse-drawn sleigh to admire the snow-covered woods. He knows the woods belong to someone else, but he's drawn to their beauty. His horse seems puzzled by the stop, but the traveler takes a moment to appreciate the peacefulness of the scene. However, he knows he can't linger, as he has promises to keep and a long journey ahead before he can rest. The poem is a reflection on the human desire to appreciate beauty, but also acknowledges the responsibilities and obligations that we must attend to.

B. Read the following lines and answer the questions.

1. "He will not see me stopping here / To watch his woods fill up with snow."

a) Who is referred to as ‘he’ in these lines?
‘He’ refers to the owner of the woods.

b) Which season is described in these lines?
The season described is winter, as the woods are filling up with snow.

2. "My little horse must think it queer / To stop without a farmhouse near"

a) Who is the speaker in these lines?
The speaker is the poet, Robert Frost.

b) Why does the horse find it strange to stop here?
The horse finds it strange because they have stopped in an unusual place, far from any farmhouse or shelter.

c) Which words in these lines rhyme with each other?
‘Queer’ and ‘near’ are rhyming words.

3. "He gives his harness bells a shake / To ask if there is some mistake."

a) Who is referred to as ‘he’ in these lines?
‘He’ refers to the poet’s horse.

b) Why does the horse shake its harness bells?
The horse shakes its harness bells to question the unexpected stop in an unfamiliar place.

c) How does the horse communicate with the poet?
The horse communicates by shaking its harness bells as if asking if there has been a mistake.

4. "The woods are lovely, dark and deep, / But I have promises to keep"

a) How does the poet describe the woods?
The poet describes the woods as lovely, dark, and deep, creating a peaceful yet mysterious atmosphere.

b) Who is referred to as ‘I’ in these lines?
‘I’ refers to the poet, Robert Frost.

c) What commitments is the speaker referring to?
The speaker refers to his duties and responsibilities in life that prevent him from staying in the peaceful woods.

5. "And miles to go before I sleep, / And miles to go before I sleep."

a) Why does the poet repeat this line twice?
The poet repeats the line to emphasize the long journey and responsibilities he must fulfill before he can rest.

b) What does the phrase ‘miles to go before I sleep’ mean?
It symbolizes the poet’s obligations and journey in life before reaching rest or possibly death.

 

C. Complete the summary by filling in the blanks.

After a long travel the poet entered a___________. He wondered to whom the wood _______! He realized that the owner of the wood lived in a ________. He thought that the owner would not be able to ___________him stopping in his woods to watch _____________ fill the woods. The poet felt that the horse would think it very _________ to stop near thewoods as he had never _____. He was actually standing between the woods and _______. The time was ________. The horse indicated that the poet has made a ________ by shaking its head. The poet felt that the woods are lovely, _______ and ______. He suddenly realized that he had worldly ______which would not allow him to _______ in the woods for a long time.

 

After a long travel, the poet entered a forest. He wondered to whom the wood belonged! He realized that the owner of the wood lived in a village. He thought that the owner would not be able to see him stopping in his woods to watch the snow fill the woods. The poet felt that the horse would think it very strange to stop near the woods as he had never stopped before in such a place. He was actually standing between the woods and a frozen lake. The time was the darkest evening of the year. The horse indicated that the poet had made a mistake by shaking its harness bells. The poet felt that the woods were lovely, dark, and deep. He suddenly realized that he had worldly responsibilities which would not allow him to stay in the woods for a long time.

 

D. Answer the questions in two or three sentences.

1. What details about the season and time of day does the poet provide?
   The poet describes a winter night, as the woods are covered in snow. He also mentions that it is the darkest evening of the year, suggesting it might be the winter solstice.

 

2. How does the speaker’s reaction differ from the horse’s? What does it convey?
   The speaker is mesmerized by the peaceful woods, whereas the horse finds it odd to stop without a farmhouse nearby. This contrast highlights the poet’s moment of reflection versus the horse’s practicality.

 

3. What are the sounds heard by the poet?
   The poet hears the sound of the horse’s harness bells shaking and the soft, sweeping noise of the wind and falling snowflakes.

 

4. What two choices does the poet consider? Which one does he choose?
   The poet considers whether to stay and admire the woods or continue his journey. In the end, he chooses responsibility over relaxation and moves forward.

 

5. Which words from the poem create an image of peace and quiet?
   Words such as "lovely," "dark," "deep," "easy wind," and "downy flake" create a peaceful and quiet atmosphere.

E. Identify the rhyme scheme used in each stanza.

Stanza	Rhyme Scheme
1	AABA
2	BBCB
3	CCDC
4	DDDD

 

F. Complete the table by identifying lines with poetic devices.

Poetic device	Lines from the poem
Alliteration	watch his woods
Personification
Repetition
Imagery

 

 

 

Poetic Device	Lines from the Poem
Alliteration	watch his woods
Personification	He gives his harness bells a shake (the horse is given human-like behavior)
Repetition	And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep
Imagery	The woods are lovely, dark, and deep (creates a vivid picture in the reader’s mind)
Poetic Device	Lines from the Poem

 

G. Writing Task

1. It is said, “The choices made by one, shapes one’s destiny”. Ponder on the thought and write a paragraph.

"The choices made by one shape one’s destiny."

Life is a journey full of choices, and the decisions we make determine our future. In Robert Frost’s poem, the speaker is tempted to stay in the peaceful woods but ultimately chooses to fulfill his responsibilities. Similarly, in real life, a student must choose between studying and wasting time, a professional must choose between hard work and laziness, and a person must decide between right and wrong. Each choice leads to different outcomes, shaping our success or failure. Therefore, making wise decisions is crucial, as our destiny depends on the paths we take in life.