Poem 4- Robert Frost’s ‘A Roadside Stand’ Summary, Theme, Line-by-Line Explanation, Stanza Wise Explanation, Literary Devices, Textbook Exercises and Extract-Based Questions.

A Roadside Stand- 1936

“…As Robert Lee Frost’s fame and wealth grew during the “roaring twenties”, his poetry became increasingly enmeshed in social and political issues. Producing and selling art that embodied Yeats’s “unity of being”, though, could be as hard as making a decent income from cultivating apple trees. Frost was reminded of this during the summer of 1926 on his South Shaftsbury farm when he observed Carol and Lillian trying to sell their produce at a roadside stand. He later wrote A Roadside Stand out of sympathy for their efforts.” 

‘A Roadside Stand’ was first published in Atlantic Monthly, 1936-06

-The Life of Robert Frost: A Critical Biography, First edition, Henry Hart

Vocabulary:

Summary “A Roadside Stand”:

Robert Frost’s “The Roadside Stand” critiques urban-rural disparities, symbolised by the stand seeking urban resources amid rural struggle. It highlights societal neglect, unfulfilled promises, and rural isolation, contrasting urban affluence with rural hardship. Interactions at the stand reflect urban apathy. The poem ends with the speaker’s conflict: condemning rural suffering but empathising. It portrays societal inequality, yearning, and the urban-rural divide.

The stand, a metaphor for economic challenges, serves as a plea for support from the urban population. The speaker expresses resentment and longing for city money, controlled by those in power. The poem captures rural dwellers’ sadness and frustration, which they feel as if they are ignored by urban society. It reflects the desire for relief from difficulties, even suggesting a fantasy of someone ending their suffering. The poem evokes complex emotions, including resentment, longing, and a yearning for change.

Explanation “A Roadside Stand”:

Stanza 1

1. Setting and Description:

• The poem begins by describing a small, old house with a new shed at the edge of a busy road.

• The shed is a roadside stand where people try to sell things to passersby.

2. Purpose of the Stand:

• The stand isn’t begging for food but money, which is important for survival.

• The money helps sustain the cities, implying a desire to share prosperity.

3. Traffic and Reactions:

• Most cars drive by quickly, focused on their destinations.

• When they notice the stand, they find the signs poorly made and the products simple, like wild berries and squash.

Stanza 2

1. City and Country Contrast:

• The people running the stand are trying to earn city money to improve their lives.

• They hope this money will help them live better lives, similar to those shown in movies.

2. False Promises:

• They feel the government promises a better life but doesn’t deliver.

• There’s news that these country people will be moved to villages where they won’t need to think for themselves.

3. Good-Doers and Control:

• The speaker criticises those who pretend to help but control and limit these people.

• These helpers make the country people dependent and less self-reliant.

Stanza 3

1. Emotional Impact:

• The speaker feels the pain of these people who wait in vain for customers.

• They long for someone to stop and buy something, but most cars pass by without stopping.

2. Occasional Stops:

• Some cars stop but do not buy anything. One stops to turn around and another to ask for directions or gas, which the stand doesn’t have.

Stanza 4

1. Country Life’s Hardship:

• The poem ends on a sombre note, reflecting on the hardships and emotional pain of country life.

• The speaker feels relief at ending their suffering but realises it’s not a real solution.

2. Reflection:

• The speaker wonders if they would appreciate someone trying to take away their pain in the same manner.

Key Themes:

1. Rural vs. Urban Life:

• The poem contrasts rural people’s simple, struggling life with the affluent, fast-paced urban life.

2. Disappointment and Despair:

• The rural people feel disappointed and helpless because their efforts to improve their lives are ignored.

3. False Promises of Progress:

• The poem criticises those who promise progress and help but bring dependency and loss of autonomy.

5. Human Connection:

• The poem highlights the longing for a simple human connection and the sadness when denied.

Stanza-Wise Analysis of A Roadside Stand:

The title “The Roadside Stand” immediately establishes the central location of the poem. This seemingly simple setting becomes a microcosm that reflects more prominent societal and economic themes. The stand represents the intersection between rural life and urban development, where the clash between tradition and progress is evident.

The tone of the poem is reflective and melancholic. Frost conveys a sense of nostalgia for a simpler past while acknowledging the challenges of the present and the uncertainties of the future. As the poem progresses, the mood shifts from contemplative to frustrated and bitter.

The poem is presented through the first-person narrative voice, allowing readers to intimately connect with the speaker’s thoughts and emotions. The reflective tone emphasises the personal nature of the struggle and the deep contemplation of societal issues. This narrative choice draws readers into the speaker’s perspective and encourages reflection on the themes.

1. Urbanisation and Modernization: 

The poem portrays the encroachment of urban life upon the rural setting. The “polished traffic” and the “flower of cities” represent the bustling modern world that contrasts with the simplicity of the countryside. “moving pictures promise” alludes to the allure of urban life and technological progress.

2. Economic Struggles: 

The “roadside stand” is a poignant symbol of the economic difficulties faced by the rural population. The stand’s plea for money and the depiction of signs offering goods for sale highlight the struggle for financial stability.

3. Loss of Authenticity: 

The “artless paint” on the signs and the commodification of nature through the sale of berries and squash suggest a loss of authenticity and commercialisation of the natural world.

4. Trust and Disappointment: 

The poem explores the themes of trust and disappointment resulting from unfulfilled expectations. The residents hope for city money to “make our being expand” and for the promises of the “party in power” to be fulfilled, but their disappointment is palpable.

5. Desire for Relief: 

The poem touches on the desire for release from suffering, both economic and emotional. At times, the speaker considers the relief it would be to put the struggling rural people “out of their pain.” This theme reflects the speaker’s internal conflict.

Frost’s vivid imagery draws the reader into the scene. The “little old house” juxtaposed with the “little new shed” highlights the contrast between the established past and the encroaching present. The stand is “pathetically pled,” evoking a sense of vulnerability and desperation. It symbolises the struggle for survival and the need for economic sustenance.

1. Irony and Critique of Urbanization:

Frost uses irony to criticise the effects of urbanisation. The “polished traffic” (the busy city cars) moves quickly and without care. In contrast, the “artless paint” on the commercial signs looks simple and out of place.

While the traffic ignores the signs, the signs disrupt the natural landscape and show how rural beauty is being commercialised. This irony shows the loss of authenticity and connection to the land due to commercial interests.

2. Economic Struggle and Power Dynamics:

The poem talks about the economic problems that rural communities face due to urban influences. The phrase “flower of cities” means the wealth and success of urban areas supported by money.

The stand’s request for “some of the money” shows the big economic difference between city and country areas. The idea that the “party in power” keeps promises of wealth from the rural people criticises political manipulation and economic inequality.

3. Critique of Well-Intentioned Intervention:

Frost criticizes people who try to help with good intentions but end up imposing their ideas. The terms “greedy good-doers” and “beneficent beasts of prey” describe these people as forcing their ideas of progress on the rural community.

This imposition reduces the villagers’ independence and self-sufficiency, as shown by the phrase “teaching them how to sleep.” Thus, the helpers are making the villagers dependent and less active.

Frost’s critique relates to the larger discussion about how urban influence affects traditional ways of life.

4. Inner Conflict and Moral Dilemma:

The speaker’s internal conflict is a vital part of the poem. Their wish to quickly end the villagers’ suffering shows their compassion. However, taking such a drastic step also shows how morally complex the decision is. This conflict adds depth to the speaker’s character and reflects the challenges of solving social problems.

In summary, “The Roadside Stand” is a deep poem that explores:

• Economic struggle
• The effects of urbanisation
• The conflict between tradition and progress
• The difficulties of social intervention

Frost explores these themes using vivid imagery, irony, and deep thinking. The poem shows the complex relationships between people, their environment, and progress and encourages readers to think about how these factors affect individual lives and society as a whole.

Line-by-Line Explanation “A Roadside Stand”:

1. The little old house was out with a little new shed

The poem describes a small, old house with a newly built shed.

2. In front at the edge of the road where the traffic sped,

The shed is at the front of the property, near the road where fast-moving traffic passes.

3. A roadside stand that too pathetically pled,

The shed is a roadside stand, a small business structure that appears pleading or appealing for attention.

4. It would not be fair to say for a dole of bread,

The speaker suggests that it wouldn’t be accurate to say that the stand is there merely begging for a handout or charity.

5. But for some of the money, the cash, whose flow supports

The purpose of the stand is not to beg for food but to earn some of the money that comes from the flow of traffic passing by.

6. The flower of cities from sinking and withering faint.

The money earned at the stand contributes to the well-being of cities, preventing them from deteriorating or becoming weak.

7. The polished traffic passed with a mind ahead,

The traffic passing by focuses on its destination and continues with little attention to the stand.

8. Or if ever aside a moment, then out of sorts

If the traffic does pay attention, it is impatient or annoyed by the interruption.

9. At having the landscape marred with the artless paint

The drivers dislike the unsophisticated appearance of the stand, which disrupts the natural landscape.

10. Of signs that with N turned wrong and S turned wrong

The signs on the stand need to point north and south correctly.

11. Offered for sale wild berries in wooden quarts,

The stand provides wild berries for sale, measured in wooden quarts.

12. Or crook-necked golden squash with silver warts,

It also sells crook-necked golden squash with silver-coloured warts.

13. Or beauty rest in a beautiful mountain scene,

The stand even sells scenes of natural beauty, perhaps paintings or photographs.

14. You have the money, but if you want to be mean,

The speaker acknowledges that the passersby have money but might choose not to buy from the stand.

15. Why keep your money (this crossly) and go along.

In a somewhat annoyed tone, the speaker questions why the drivers would keep their money and continue driving without making a

purchase.

16. The hurt to the scenery wouldn’t be my complaint

The negative impact on the landscape is not the speaker’s primary concern.

17. So much as the trusting sorrow of what is unsaid:

The speaker is more concerned about the unspoken sadness and disappointment experienced by the people running the stand.

18. Here far from the city we make our roadside stand

The stand is situated far from the city, emphasising its rural location.

19. And ask for some city money to feel in hand

The stand owners hope to conduct little business and earn money from city-dwellers who pass by.

20. To try if it will not make our being expand,

They hope the money will help improve their livelihoods and expand their possibilities.

21. And give us the life of the moving-pictures’ promise

The money could bring them a life akin to the promises portrayed in movies.

22. That the party in power is said to be keeping from us.

The ruling political party withholds this promised life, often portrayed in movies.

23. It is in the news that all these pitiful kin

The news reports that these less fortunate individuals…

24. Are to be bought out and mercifully gathered in

…are being offered compensation to be relocated.

25. To live in villages, next to the theatre and the store,

They (roadside stands) are to be resettled in villages near entertainment venues and stores.

26. Where they won’t have to think for themselves anymore,

They (roadside stands) will be resettled in villages near entertainment venues and stores.

27. While greedy good-doers, beneficent beasts of prey,

Like predatory animals, the “good” people offering help are also portrayed as taking advantage.

28. Swarm over their lives enforcing benefits

They control these people’s lives by enforcing so-called benefits.

29. That are calculated to soothe them out of their wits,

These benefits are designed to manipulate and placate them.

30. And by teaching them how to sleep they sleep all day,

People (greedy good-doers) who give them false promises and benefits are lying and keeping them ignorant (sleep) of what is happening around them. 

31. Destroy their sleeping at night the ancient way.

Their peace, livelihood, and comfort are destroyed the ancient way (the rich and powerful have always taken advantage of the people of less fortunate means)

32. Sometimes I feel myself I can hardly bear

The speaker expresses a sense of empathy and understanding.

33. The thought of so much childish longing in vain,

The idea of people’s innocent desires going unfulfilled, saddens the speaker.

34. The sadness that lurks near the open window there,

The sadness is personified as something that lingers near an open window.

35. That waits all day in almost open prayer

The sadness seems to wait like a prayer nearly answered.

36. For the squeal of brakes, the sound of a stopping car,

The longing is for the sound of a car stopping at the stand.

37. Of all the thousand selfish cars that pass,

Many cars pass by, but only one stop is hoped for.

38. Just one to inquire what a farmer’s prices are.

The speaker hopes for a driver who will ask about the prices of the products.

39. And one did stop, but only to plow up grass.

One car did stop, but it was just to damage the grass by turning around.

40. In using the yard to back and turn around;

The car used the yard to reverse and change direction.

41. And another to ask the way to where it was bound;

Another car stopped to ask for directions to its destination.

42. And another to ask could they sell it a gallon of gas

Yet another car inquired about buying gas.

43. They couldn’t (this crossly); they had none, didn’t it see?

In a cross or irritated tone, the response is that the stand doesn’t sell gas.

44. No, in country money, the country scale of gain,

The speaker explains that the country’s way of earning and valuing money differs.

45. The requisite lift of spirit has never been found,

The necessary boost in spirit or enthusiasm has never been attained.

46. Or so the voice of the country seems to complain,

The country’s sentiment expresses dissatisfaction.

47. I can’t help owning the great relief it would be

The speaker admits to having a sense of relief at the idea…

48. To put these people at one stroke out of their pain.

…of ending the pain and difficulties these people face.

49. And then next day as I come back into the sane,

The speaker acknowledges that these thoughts are fleeting and not entirely sane.

50. I wonder how I should like you to come to me

The speaker reflects on how they would feel if someone approached them…

51. And offer to put me gently out of my pain.

…and offered a kind way to end their pain. This line expresses empathy and self-awareness.

Literary Devices “A Roadside Stand”:

Question and Answers “A Roadside Stand”:

Q1: What is the setting of the poem?

A1: The poem’s setting is a roadside stand located near a little old house and a new shed by the edge of a road where traffic passes. The stand is positioned amidst the countryside landscape, away from the city.

Q2: What is the condition of the roadside stand?

A2: The roadside stand is run-down and pathetically pleading. It requires money, particularly cash, to support its existence. The speaker mentions that it’s not exactly asking for a dole of bread but seeking money to sustain itself.

Q3: How does the traffic passing by the stand react?

A3: The traffic passing by the stand generally pays little attention to it. The drivers are preoccupied with their journey and often need to give the stand more thought. Some drivers might briefly look at the stand but are usually annoyed by the signs that mar the landscape.

Q4: What items are being sold at the roadside stand?

A4: The stand offers various items for sale, including wild berries in wooden quarts, crook-necked golden squash with silver warts, and even scenes depicting beauty resting in a mountain setting.

Q5: Why does the speaker mention “city money”?

A5: The speaker mentions “city money” because the roadside stand owners in the countryside hope to receive financial support from the city. They want this money to help improve their living conditions and expand their lives, possibly emulating the promises seen in movies or “moving-pictures.”

Q6: What is the speaker’s perspective on the plans for the people in the countryside?

A6: The speaker views the plans to relocate the people in the countryside to villages near theatres and stores as being manipulated by “greedy good-doers” who want to control their lives and enforce certain benefits upon them. The speaker sees this as taking away their independence and forcing them into a dependent lifestyle.

Q7: What emotion does the speaker express about the situation?

A7:  The speaker expresses frustration, sadness, and resentment about how the roadside stand is ignored by passing traffic and how the people in the countryside are being treated. The speaker feels the pain of unfulfilled longing and wishes for a change in their circumstances.

A8: At one point, the speaker contemplates ending the people’s suffering by removing them from their situation, possibly through some drastic action. However, the speaker then acknowledges that this desire for relief might not be appropriate or justified.

A9: The tone of the poem is a mixture of sadness, frustration, cynicism, and reflection. The speaker contemplates the struggles and longing of the people at the roadside stand and contrasts them with the indifference of passing traffic. There’s also a sense of bitterness and scepticism towards the plans of those in power.

Extract Based Questions “A Roadside Stand”:

Extract 1:

Q1: What is the setting described in the extract?

A1: The setting described in the extract is a little old house with a new shed in front, located at the edge of a road where traffic speeds by.

Q2: What is the purpose of the roadside stand mentioned in the poem?

A2: The purpose of the roadside stand is to sell goods and earn money from passing motorists, not for mere survival but to gain a share of the wealth that supports the flourishing cities.

Q3: How does the poet describe the plea of the roadside stand?

A3: The poet describes the roadside stand’s plea as “pathetically pled,” indicating a desperate but humble request for financial assistance.

Q4: What does the phrase “it would not be fair to say for a dole of bread” imply?

A4: This phrase implies that the roadside stand is not asking for charity or mere sustenance but is seeking a fair share of the money that flows through the economy, which supports urban prosperity.

Q5: What metaphor does the poet use to describe the economic support of cities?

A5: The poet uses the metaphor “the flower of cities from sinking and withering faint” to describe how the flow of money helps cities thrive and prevents them from declining.

Q6: According to the poet, how does the passing traffic react to the roadside stand?

A6: The passing traffic is described as being focused ahead, with little regard for the roadside stand. When they notice it, they are often irritated by the stand’s presence, feeling it mars the landscape.

Q7: What criticism does the poet make about the signs at the roadside stand?

A7: The poet criticises the signs for their “artless paint,” mentioning how the letters ‘N’ and ‘S’ are turned wrong, indicating a lack of sophistication and professional presentation.

Q8: What items are being offered for sale at the roadside stand?

A8: The items offered for sale include wild berries in wooden quarts and crook-necked golden squash with silver warts.

Q9: How does the poet convey the frustration of the people running the roadside stand?

A9: The poet conveys their frustration by highlighting their exasperated plea for people to either buy something or leave, reflecting their disappointment with the lack of patronage.

Q10: What broader social or economic theme does this extract from the poem suggest?

A10: The extract suggests a broader theme of economic disparity and the struggle of rural people to share in the wealth that flows through urban centres. It highlights their marginalisation and the futility of their efforts to connect with the affluent, fast-paced urban world.

Interpretation-Based Questions

Q11: How does the poet use imagery to convey the setting of the roadside stand?

A11: The poet uses vivid imagery to describe the “little old house” and the “little new shed” at the edge of a busy road. This contrast between the old and new highlights the modesty and simplicity of the stand in comparison to the bustling, modern traffic speeding by.

Q12: What emotional tone does the poet establish when describing the roadside stand’s plea?

A12: The emotional tone is one of pathos and sympathy. The phrase “too pathetically pled” evokes a sense of desperation and helplessness, underscoring the humble and earnest nature of the stand’s request for financial support.

Q13: What is the significance of the poet’s statement, “It would not be fair to say for a dole of bread?”

A13: The statement signifies that the plea is not for basic survival or charity but for a fair share of economic prosperity. It emphasises the dignity of the people running the stand, who seek a more equitable distribution of wealth rather than mere handouts.

Q14: How does the poet critique the behaviour of the passing motorists?

A14:  The poet critiques the motorists by depicting them as preoccupied and indifferent, with “a mind ahead” and annoyed by the stand’s presence. This reflects the broader social indifference towards the rural poor and their struggles.

Q15: What do the “artless paint” and the incorrect letters on the signs symbolise?

A15: The “artless paint” and incorrectly turned letters symbolise the rural poor’s lack of sophistication and resources. They highlight their earnest but inadequate attempts to participate in the commercial economy.

Q16: What is the poet’s attitude towards the goods sold at the stand, such as wild berries and squash?

A16: The poet presents the goods with a sense of rustic charm and authenticity, describing them in a way that evokes natural beauty and simplicity. This contrasts with the polished and often artificial products of urban markets.

Q17: How does the poet address the theme of economic disparity in the extract?

A17: The poet addresses economic disparity by contrasting the modest roadside stand with the affluent urban centres. The stand’s plea for “some of the money, the cash” that supports cities highlights the uneven distribution of wealth and the marginalisation of rural communities.

Q18: How does the poet evoke a sense of frustration and disillusionment from the perspective of the roadside stand owners?

A18: The poet evokes frustration and disillusionment through the owners’ exasperated plea for the motorists to either purchase something or move on. This reflects their dashed hopes and the harsh reality of their economic struggle.

Q19: What deeper social commentary is Frost making through the depiction of the roadside stand?

A19: Frost is commenting on the neglect and marginalisation of rural communities in a rapidly modernising world. He critiques the superficiality and indifference of urban prosperity and the failure of economic policies to address rural poverty.

Q20: How does the extract reflect the themes of isolation and neglect in Frost’s poetry?

A20: The extract reflects themes of isolation and neglect by highlighting the roadside stand’s lonely and unnoticed presence at the edge of the road. The stand’s futile plea for attention and financial support highlights the broader societal neglect of rural people and their struggles.

Extract 2:

Extract 3:

Extract 4:

Q1: What does the news report mentioned in the extract say about the “pitiful kin”?

A1: The news report says that the “pitiful kin” will be bought out and gathered into villages, where they will live next to theatres and stores.

Q2: What does the poet suggest will happen to the “pitiful kin” once they are moved to these villages?

A2: The poet suggests that the “pitiful kin” will no longer have to think for themselves, implying a loss of independence and self-reliance.

Q3: How does the poet describe the people managing the lives of the “pitiful kin”?

A3: The poet describes them as “greedy good-doers” and “beneficent beasts of prey,” indicating a negative view of their intentions and actions.

Q4: What is the poet’s opinion of the benefits being enforced on the “pitiful kin”?

A4: The poet believes these benefits are calculated to soothe the “pitiful kin” out of their wits, suggesting that they are meant to appease/alleviate and control rather than genuinely help.

Q5: What impact does the poet suggest these enforced benefits will have on the “pitiful kin’s” daily lives?

A5: The poet suggests that these benefits will teach them to sleep during the day and disrupt their natural sleeping patterns at night.

Interpretation-Based Questions

Q6: What is the poet’s attitude towards relocating the “pitiful kin” to villages?

A6: The poet’s attitude is critical and sceptical. Using phrases like “bought out” and “mercifully gathered in” implies that the relocation is more about control and convenience for the authorities rather than genuine mercy or help.

Q7: How does the poet use irony in describing the “greedy good-doers” and “beneficent beasts of prey”?

A7: The poet uses irony by calling these people “good-doers” and “beneficent,” terms that usually have positive connotations while describing them as “greedy” and “beasts of prey,” which are negative. The irony highlights the hypocritical nature of their actions.

Q8: What does the poet imply about the loss of autonomy for the “pitiful kin”?

A8: The poet implies that by moving to the villages and having everything provided for them, the “pitiful kin” will lose their autonomy and the ability to think and make decisions, leading to intellectual and spiritual numbness.

Q9: How does the poet view the intention behind the benefits provided to the “pitiful kin”?

A9: The poet views the intention behind the benefits as manipulative and controlling. The benefits are designed to alleviate the people and keep them subdued rather than genuinely improve their lives.

Q10: What might the poet mean by “destroy their sleeping at night the ancient way”?

A10: The phrase suggests that the “pitiful kin” will be deprived of their natural, traditional way of life and sleep patterns. It may symbolise a broader disruption of their cultural and personal autonomy.

Q11: How does this extract reflect the poem’s broader theme of exploitation and control?

A11: The extract reflects the theme of exploitation and control by showing how the “pitiful kin” are being moved and managed for the benefit of those in power rather than being genuinely helped. It highlights how their lives are being controlled under the guise of benevolence.

Q12: What does the phrase “calculated to soothe them out of their wits” suggest about the benefits provided to the “pitiful kin”?

A12: The phrase suggests that the benefits are intentionally designed to dull the minds and spirits of the “pitiful kin,” making them more compliant and less likely to question their situation or seek change.

Q13: How does the extract critique the idea of progress and modernisation?

A13: The extract critiques progress and modernisation by showing how these concepts justify the displacement and control of rural people. It suggests that what is presented as progress is a way to strip people of their independence and agency.

Extract 5: