The Demiurge’s Laugh
The Demiurge’s Laugh - context Summary
Published in a Boy's Will
Published in Frost's first major collection A Boy's Will (1913), "The Demiurge's Laugh" records a brief narrative of pursuit and sudden recognition. The speaker chases a figure called the Demon through the woods, only to have the figure turn, laugh, and reveal the speaker's own folly. The laugh produces a small, quiet humiliation that ends the chase and leads the speaker to sit and reflect. The poem fits Frost's early interest in nature as a stage for philosophical moments and the modest, ironic reckonings of human desire.
Read Complete AnalysesIt was far in the sameness of the wood; I was running with joy on the Demon’s trail, Though I knew what I hunted was no true god. It was just as the light was beginning to fail That I suddenly heard—all I needed to hear: It has lasted me many and many a year. The sound was behind me instead of before, A sleepy sound, but mocking half, As of one who utterly couldn’t care. The Demon arose from his wallow to laugh, Brushing the dirt from his eye as he went; And well I knew what the Demon meant. I shall not forget how his laugh rang out. I felt as a fool to have been so caught, And checked my steps to make pretence It was something among the leaves I sought (Though doubtful whether he stayed to see). Thereafter I sat me against a tree.
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