Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Robert Frost's poem "I Am a Mede and Persian" explores themes of perception, self-awareness, and the often unspoken dynamics of personal relationships. Through the use of historical allusion and direct language, Frost delves into the complexities of accepting others' judgments and understanding their underlying implications.

The poem opens with the declaration, "I am a Mede and Persian," which immediately invokes the ancient civilizations known for their strict adherence to laws and decrees. This reference sets the tone for the speaker's attitude towards the "harsh laws" imposed on him by another person. The Medes and Persians were known for their unchangeable laws, symbolizing the speaker's resigned acceptance of the judgments laid upon him.

The poem continues with the speaker recounting the criticisms directed at him: "When you said I could not read / When you said I looked old / When you said I was slow of wit." These statements reflect common forms of belittlement or dismissal, touching on intellectual, physical, and mental attributes. The repetition of "When you said" emphasizes the external source of these judgments, highlighting the speaker's passive role in receiving them.

However, the poem takes a reflective turn as the speaker reveals his deeper understanding of these criticisms: "I knew that you only meant / That you could read / That you looked young / That you were nimble of wit." By interpreting the statements as reflections of the other person's self-perception, the speaker demonstrates a keen insight into human behavior. The shift from passive acceptance to active interpretation underscores the speaker's awareness and the subtle power of understanding.

The poem’s structure, a single stanza of concise lines, enhances its introspective and revelatory nature. The brevity of the lines mirrors the directness of the criticisms and the clarity of the speaker’s insights. Frost’s use of plain language ensures that the poem’s message is accessible and impactful, allowing the reader to focus on the underlying dynamics between the speaker and the critic.

The poem utilizes anaphora, a specific form of parallelism, to emphasize the repetitiveness and impact of external judgments on the speaker. Anaphora, the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or lines, is a technique that aligns metrical and syntactic frames to create a rhythmic and rhetorical effect. In this poem, Frost's strategic use of anaphora underscores the speaker's experience of being subjected to repeated criticisms and highlights the underlying dynamics of these interactions.

In "I Am a Mede and Persian," Frost effectively captures the tension between external judgments and internal self-awareness. The speaker’s acceptance of harsh criticisms, juxtaposed with his understanding of their true meaning, highlights the complexities of personal interactions and the power of perception. By framing the poem within the context of historical allusion, Frost adds a layer of depth to the speaker’s resignation and insight, suggesting that the ability to see beyond surface-level judgments is a form of strength and wisdom.

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