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Robert Frost Between Modernism and Realism


Robert Frost, the famous nature poet, is often considered a member of the modernism movement, but he also exhibits key aspects of realism in his writings that are important to realize. Where modernism generates the barrage of questioning traditions and curiosity of seeking understanding through deep thinking, realism seeks to establish truth in the reality of life as it is presented, creating different interpretations. These realist and modernist ideals are established in multiple works of his such as Mending Wall, The Road Not Taken, as well as Fire and Ice. Robert Frost walks the line along both perspectives as his works often derive a natural truth from the real world such as nature or emotion while also using this natural truth to provoke curiosity discovered through contemplation. Many of his narrators discover a truth of the world through their observation of reality but also find themselves in deeper questioning of these truths or traditions that've been established.
Frost stands apart from many modernist in that his work can present a more clear and concrete message rather than the elusive Red Wheelbarrow by Williams Carlos Williams. Frost also refuted questioning every aspect of tradition as well, retaining certain rules of poetry in his writing as well as present in his character's actions.

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