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一． Mending Wall

Themes

1. The theme of this poem is that we won't get to know a person unless we put down our wall or barrier and emphasize the importance of co-operation between neighbors: “I let my neighbor know beyond the hill”. (崔艳丽，2005(5))

2. Although two people can still be friendly neighbors, some form of barrier is needed to separate them and 'wall in' the personal space and privacy of the individual. This is shown through his repeated saying, “good fences make good neighbors”. That is to say, a respectful distance between neighbors is the key to harmonious relationships. (黄雪梅2011(5))

Writing Features

1. “Mending Wall” is a long one-stanza metaphorical poem written in blank verse with no stanza breaks, obvious end rhymes, or rhyming patterns. The writer's intention with this form is that it sustains the natural speech and conversational quality of the poem. (赵彤，2010(2)) Frost had rejected the revolutionary poetic principles of his contemporaries, choosing instead “the old-fashioned way to be new”. By using simple spoken and conversational language, Frost achieved an effortless grace in his style. He combined traditional verse forms with “a clear American local speech rhythm, the speech of New

England farmers with its idiosyncratic diction and syntax”. (张丽娇，2002(12))

2. The vocabulary of the poem makes readers be personally on the scene of New England countryside. They can see “hunters”, “the rabbit”, “the yelping dogs”, “pine”, “cones”, and “apple orchard”. The diction Frost chooses is what the country folks use in their daily life, which vividly portrays the different characters of the two neighbors. The conversation between the two neighbors is a good example. The narrator straightforwardly states his opinion that “There where it is we do not need the wall”, and next he gives a sound explanation to his viewpoint. (陆裕婷, 2005(7))

3. Besides well -chosen vocabulary and diction, an overall light-hearted tone has been achieved throughout the poem. One of the main techniques used to achieve this is the inclusion of conversation. “Stay where you are until our backs are turned!” (Line19), for example, shows the neighbors having fun in mending the wall together, creating a cheerful, light-hearted atmosphere. Second, the comparison of the repairing of the fence to an outdoor game also contributes to this light-heatedness. Although the narrator does not want the wall, ironically, the mending of the wall brings the neighbors together and literally builds their friendship. (孙菲阳, 2007(8))

Rhetorical Devices

In \Wall\Frost did not employ lots of rhetorical devices, however, each of them is properly devised and achieves the intended effects. This is the unique style of Frost: simple in language and rhetorical devices but profound in thinking and meaning. (董洪川，1997(3)) 1. Symbolism

Frost is very good at utilizing different rhetorical devices to convey different messages. Symbolism is the most visible device in this poem. (1) The symbol of this wall also functions to develop the character of the neighbor as having an ancient and old fashioned way of thinking, which is noticeable through words such as \\程爱民, 2001(4))

(2) The speaker symbolizes the younger generation who calls for a complete social change, whereas the neighbor represents the old generation who tries to keep the tradition and hates reform and change. (葛桂录, 1996(1))

(3) This stone wall symbolizes a divide between properties that puts up confinements and boundaries. This symbol develops a theme of barrier-building and segregation. (艾峰, 2013(8)) 2. Parallelism

Frost uses parallelism for emphasis and rhyming. (杨晚星，2008(4)) (1) No one has seen them made or heard them made. (2) To each the boulders that have fallen to each.