Give examples of imagery being used in the poem "Mending Wall" by Robert Frost. How do they communicate the central theme of this poem.

 

The theme of the Mending wall is change and tradition. The speaker is very open to change, however he is being contradicted by his neighbors who are very close to keeping tradition. Here are some of the imagery used connecting to the theme:

1. Wall. It symbolizes the division of the speaker's and the neighbor's farm. The speaker wanted to break the wall for a change. However, the neighbors are bound for tradition like the annual ritual. As being said "Good fences, making good neighbors." So it also symbolizes community. With the wall being fixed, they will be able to hold the ritual annually.

2. Darkness. It symbolizes ignorance of the neighbors being stuck to tradition and even holding ritual even though they do not have the livestock.

3. Apples and Pine trees. The speaker has an apple orchard while the neighbors has pine trees. Apple symbolizes wisdom which the speaker has. The speaker has wisdom in every conversation he has with his neighbors especially in questioning about the wall that divides their orchards. Pine trees on the other hand symbolizes kinship and peace which the neighbors have. They thought that having the wall would keep the peace that they have with the speaker. That may be in the future, if there is no clear barrier they might have a misunderstanding with the speaker and that is what the neighbors are trying to avoid. Also, tradition is very important to them, that keeping the annual ritual would keep them connected with each other.