A leading Frost critic guides the reader through some of the poet's most challenging verse.

This fascinating reassessment of America's most popular and famous poet reveals a more complex and enigmatic man than many readers might expect. Jay Parini spent over twenty years interviewing friends of Robert Frost and working in the poet's archives at Dartmouth, Amherst, and elsewhere to produce this definitive and insightful biography of both the public and private man. While he depicts the various stages of Frost's colorful life, Parini also sensitively explores the poet's psyche, showing how he dealt with adversity, family tragedy, and depression. By taking the reader into the poetry itself, which he reads closely and brilliantly, Parini offers an insightful road map to Frost's remarkable world.

A powerful and persuasive new reading of Frost as a poet deeply engaged with both the literary and public politics of his day.

The Life of Robert Frost presents a unique and rich approach to the poet that includes original genealogical research concerning Frost’s ancestors, and a demonstration of how mental illness plagued the Frost family and heavily influenced Frost’s poetry. A widely revealing biography of Frost that discusses his often perplexing journey from humble roots to poetic fame, revealing new details of Frost’s life Takes a unique approach by giving attention to Frost’s genealogy and the family history of mental illness, presenting a complete picture of Frost’s complexity Discusses the traumatic effect on Frost of his father’s early death and the impact on his poetry and outlook Presents original information on the influence of his mother’s Swedenborgian mysticism

Known for his favorite themes of New England and nature, Robert Frost may well be the most famous American poet of the 20th century. This is an encyclopedic guide to the life and works of this great American poet. It combines critical analysis with information on Frost's life, providing a one-stop resource for students.

Known for his poetic transformation of New England and nature, Robert Frost has retained his position through the years as one of the essential American poets of the 20th century. His classic works, including ""The Road Not Taken,"" ""Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,"" and ""The Death of the Hired Man,"" are explored in this volume and will lead students and readers to a more nuanced understanding of the work of this verse master. Suggestions for writing an effective paper about Frost will encourage students' critical-thinking skills.

Forty essays from influential scholars and poets offer a fresh, multifaceted assessment of the life and works of Robert Frost.