"Mending Wall" is a poem by Robert Frost that explores the idea of boundaries and the consequences of maintaining or breaking them. The poem is written in the first person and follows the speaker as he walks along the wall that separates his property from his neighbor's. The speaker reflects on the wall and the process of mending it each year, considering the reasons for its existence and the motivations behind its repair.
The poem begins with the line "Something there is that doesn't love a wall," suggesting that there is a natural tendency to resist or defy boundaries. The speaker acknowledges that the wall serves a purpose, as it keeps his neighbor's cows from wandering onto his property and damaging his apple trees. However, he also notes that the wall is not necessary for this purpose, as there are no cows on either side of the wall. This suggests that the wall serves a symbolic rather than practical function.
As the speaker and his neighbor work together to repair the wall, the speaker wonders why they feel the need to do so. He suggests that it is "an old-stone savage armed with stones," implying that the wall represents a primitive and violent desire to protect one's territory. The speaker also wonders whether the wall is meant to keep people out or to keep something in, again suggesting that the wall has a deeper, symbolic significance.
Throughout the poem, the speaker grapples with the idea of boundaries and their role in human relationships. He wonders whether the wall is necessary or whether it is simply a habit that has been passed down through the generations. He also wonders whether the wall serves to bring people closer together or to drive them apart, suggesting that boundaries can have both positive and negative effects on human interactions.
In the final stanza of the poem, the speaker reflects on the nature of fences and walls and their role in society. He suggests that fences and walls are often used to divide and separate people, but that they can also serve to bring people together. He concludes by saying that "good fences make good neighbors," implying that boundaries can be useful and necessary, but only if they are used wisely and with care.
In summary, "Mending Wall" is a thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of boundaries, territoriality, and human relationships. Through the speaker's reflections on the wall that separates his property from his neighbor's, Frost raises questions about the motivations behind the maintenance of boundaries and the consequences of their existence. The poem ultimately suggests that boundaries can be both useful and harmful, depending on how they are used and understood.