Poem Analysis - The Generations Of Men

Introduction: A Rainy Encounter with Heritage

Robert Frost's "The Generations of Men" is a contemplative and subtly humorous poem that explores themes of ancestry, identity, and the passage of time. Set against the backdrop of a failed family reunion in rural New Hampshire, the poem unfolds through a dialogue between two distant cousins who meet by chance at the ancestral home. The tone is initially melancholic, reflecting the desolation of the landscape and the disappointment of the aborted gathering, but it gradually shifts to one of playful curiosity and intellectual engagement as the cousins delve into their shared heritage. The overarching mood is one of gentle reflection, pondering the significance of ancestry in shaping individual identity.

The Erosion of Tradition: Farming and Family

One of the central themes of the poem is the fading of traditional ways of life. The poem opens by describing Bow, New Hampshire, as "a rock-strewn town where farming has fallen off," and where "sprout-lands flourish where the axe has gone." This imagery establishes a sense of decline and abandonment, reflecting the broader trend of rural communities losing their connection to the land. The failed family reunion further underscores this theme. The eagerness to "fathom the past and get some strangeness out of it" is ultimately thwarted by the rain, suggesting that the connection to the past is tenuous and easily disrupted by the realities of the present.

The Burden and Playfulness of Ancestry: Genealogy as a Game

The poem also explores the complexities of family identity. The characters' elaborate attempts to trace their lineage, exemplified by the "family tree drawn on a sort of passport," highlight the human desire to understand one's place in the world and connect with something larger than oneself. However, Frost infuses this pursuit with a sense of irony. The cousins engage in a playful and somewhat absurd debate about their relationship, questioning the very notion of "Starkness" and the weight of ancestral claims. The woman's remark that "the town is full of Chases, Lowes, and Baileys, / All claiming some priority in Starkness" suggests that family identity is not a fixed or exclusive category but rather a fluid and contested one.

The Significance of Place: The Cellar Hole as a Portal

The image of the "cellar hole" is a recurring symbol in the poem. It represents the origin of the Stark family, the literal foundation upon which their lineage is built. The cellar hole is described as "the pit from which we Starks were digged," evoking a sense of both creation and decay. It is a place of memory and imagination, where the cousins conjure visions of their ancestors. For the man, the cellar hole is akin to the "Indians' myth of Chicamoztoc," a mythical place of origin. For the woman, it evokes simpler, tangible memories like the raspbery vines. Despite the rain and the desolation, the cellar hole becomes a space for connection and shared reflection, a testament to the enduring power of place in shaping identity. The timber found within the cellar hole is suggested to build a new cottage, showing the passing of time from one generation to the next and also a renewal through ancestry.

The Voices Within: Imagination and Interpretation

The final section of the poem introduces the concept of "voices" emanating from the brook, representing a form of intuitive knowledge or ancestral wisdom. The man suggests that these voices can provide a "purer oracle" than traditional sources of knowledge. The woman, however, is skeptical, arguing that the voices simply reflect one's own desires and biases. This exchange raises questions about the nature of truth and the role of imagination in shaping our understanding of the past. The man's invocation of "Granny" and her plain-spoken wisdom suggests that the most valuable insights may come from the voices of ordinary people, unfiltered by intellectual abstraction. The ending of the dialogue is purposefully cut off, however, suggesting a deeper and more fundamental exploration that they might continue another time, perhaps in the rain.

Conclusion: Heritage in the Here and Now

"The Generations of Men" is a nuanced exploration of ancestry and identity. While acknowledging the importance of connecting with the past, Frost also suggests that it is crucial to maintain a sense of humor and perspective. The poem emphasizes the complexities of heritage and the challenges of interpreting its meaning in the present. Ultimately, it is not about clinging to rigid notions of family pride or tradition but about embracing the ongoing process of self-discovery and human connection. Through the encounter of two distant cousins in a rainy New Hampshire landscape, Frost reminds us that the past is not a fixed entity but a living force that continues to shape our lives in unexpected ways.