Robert Frost: Poems

Once by the Pacific

1. In lines 2-6, what forces of nature seem to be personified?

2. Explanation of the last two lines.

3. What scene is described here? What kind of imagery is used? Give examples.

Asked by
Last updated by jill d #170087
Answers 1
Add Yours

1) The threat of the ocean is particularly palpable because of the waves’ malevolent personification. These waves are not the unconscious results of changing weather systems, but rather evil, sentient beings that intend to use all of their might to destroy anything they can touch.

The clouds are decribed as "hairy".

2) Frost ends the poem with a question about the source of the ocean’s destructive rage. Is it possible that the same God who ordered, “Let there be light!” could be provoking the ocean in order to destroy all of mankind? Frost leaves it to the reader to ask whether God has completely abandoned humanity and allied Himself with the angry forces of nature to destroy the unappreciative human species.

Please post your questions separately.