Mending Wall Essay

A Good Wall Creates A Good Bond

Barriers can be found in many different environments, being used to keep things in or out. By analyzing Robert Frost’s poem “Mending Wall” (Perkins 80), one can see the wall is about neighbors bonding. By giving the neighbors a task to work on together, it allows them to problem solve, share experiences, and understand each other’s opinions.

Robert Frost introduces the narrator by stating “Something there is that doesn’t love the wall”. From this opening line through the rest of the poem, the narrator shown as a progressive “who hates divisive traditions” (Coulthard). In contrast, the neighbor is seen as a “bullhead traditionalist” (Coulthard) who builds the wall because those before him did the same thing. When comparing the narrator’s words to “Good Fences make good neighbors” (Perkins 80), one can sense a metaphoric wall created by the two character’s differing opinions. Yet the wall itself is something they

Frost shows them communicating while they work with the line, “We have to use a spell to make them balance” (Perkins 80). They even tell the rocks to stay “until our backs are turned” (Perkins 80), which further expresses their teamwork. So regardless of their opinions, they work together in a fun way.

In addition to working together, the narrator shows a level of respect for the neighbor’s opinion by not speaking ill to him. The narrator wants to question the neighbors statement, “good fences make good neighbors” (Perkins 80) and also discuss who it offends. While not trying to sway the man openly, he hopes the neighbor will change his opinion. The neighbor does not try to persuade the narrator either, only repeating his father’s statement at the end of the poem. The narrator would not even know the neighbor’s opinion if they did not meet once a year to fix the