A Marxist Analysis of Alienation and Commodification of Robert Frost’s Poem ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’

Abstract

The study revolves around the aspects of Marxism in Robert Frost’s poem ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evenings’. The poem showcases various complexities of the human situation in this materialistic world. It further offers the perspective of human relationship with nature, desires, responsibilities, constraints, and revealing intricate depiction of human experience. Frost's poem presents a serene winter scene, but beneath its tranquil surface lies a rich tapestry of human emotion. The poem depicts the speaker’s dilemma, the tension between the responsibilities and desires in this natural world. Moreover, the poem presents a sort of commentary on the alienating effects of capitalism and commodification of nature. The woods provide the commodity of nature and the horse symbolizes the labor as working class to serve for capitalism. The poem expresses isolation and disconnection, mystery and beauty of the natural world, commodification of nature, restrictions of capitalist society, and a sense of tranquility along with responsibilities. The researcher analyzes other research articles and documents to support the topic under study.