Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Robert Frost's poem "Escapist – Never" delves into themes of pursuit, fear, and the nature of human striving. The poem presents a figure who is not an escapist in the traditional sense but rather someone who continuously seeks, driven by a perpetual sense of longing. Through its exploration of this endless pursuit, the poem reflects on the human condition and the inherent tension between the present and the future.

The poem begins with a clear assertion: "He is no fugitive- escaped, escaping." This line establishes that the subject is not running away from something in the past, nor is he attempting to escape from current circumstances. Instead, his focus is resolutely forward-looking. The subsequent line, "No one has seen him stumble looking back," reinforces this idea, emphasizing that the subject does not falter by dwelling on past events. His forward-facing stance suggests a determined and relentless pursuit of what lies ahead.

The poem then introduces the concept of fear: "His fear is not behind him but beside him / On either hand to make his course perhaps / A crooked straightness yet no less a straightness." Here, Frost complicates the idea of fear, placing it not as something to be fled but as a constant companion that influences the subject's path. The phrase "a crooked straightness" implies that while the path may not be perfectly straight, it maintains a sense of direction and purpose. This paradoxical description suggests that the subject's journey, though influenced by fear, remains purposeful and determined.

"He runs face forward. He is a pursuer. / He is a seeker who in his turn seeks / Another still, lost far into the distance." These lines characterize the subject as an active pursuer and seeker, constantly driven by the quest for something beyond his immediate reach. The repetition of "seeker" underscores the endless nature of this pursuit. The one he seeks is "lost far into the distance," symbolizing the elusive and perhaps unattainable goals that drive human ambition and desire.

The poem further elaborates on this theme with the line, "Any who seek him seek in him the seeker." This suggests that those who are drawn to the subject are, in fact, drawn to his intrinsic quality of seeking. His identity is intertwined with his perpetual pursuit, making him both a symbol and an embodiment of relentless striving.

"His life is a pursuit of a pursuit forever. / It is the future that creates his present." These lines encapsulate the core idea of the poem: the subject's existence is defined by an endless chain of pursuits, where each goal leads to another. The notion that "the future...creates his present" highlights the driving force of future aspirations in shaping one's current actions and state of being. This perspective positions the future not as a distant endpoint but as a dynamic force that continuously influences the present.

The final line, "All is an interminable chain of longing," succinctly captures the essence of the poem. The word "interminable" emphasizes the endless nature of this longing, suggesting that human desire is a never-ending process. This longing drives the subject's pursuit, creating a sense of continuity and perpetual motion.

"Escapist – Never" presents a nuanced portrayal of human striving, where the subject is neither fleeing from the past nor merely reacting to present circumstances. Instead, he is driven by a forward-looking pursuit, constantly seeking something beyond his immediate grasp. Frost's use of paradoxical phrases and repetition underscores the complexity and depth of this pursuit, reflecting on the intricate interplay between fear, desire, and the shaping power of future aspirations.

In conclusion, Frost's poem explores the relentless nature of human striving and the ways in which our future aspirations shape our present existence. Through vivid imagery and thoughtful language, "Escapist – Never" invites readers to reflect on their own pursuits and the forces that drive them forward. The poem encapsulates the essence of human longing and the perpetual search for meaning and fulfillment in an ever-changing world.

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