Introduction
"Ghost House" is a poem written by Robert Frost, an American poet known for his realistic depictions of rural life and his command of American colloquial speech. The poem is about a ghost house that stands in a deserted field, and the speaker's view of it. In this article, we will analyze the poem and try to find the line that summarizes the speaker's overall perspective.
The Setting
The poem is set in a deserted field where an old, abandoned house stands. The house is described as "an ancient place" that is "no more to be found by anyone alive". The field is overgrown with weeds, and the only sign of life is the "wind that whistles through the thorns and briars". The setting is eerie and creates an atmosphere of loneliness and abandonment.
The Speaker's Perspective
The speaker's perspective is one of ambivalence. On one hand, he is drawn to the house and its history, as evidenced by his repeated visits to it. He describes the house as having "a story of long ago" and imagines the people who once lived there. On the other hand, he is aware of the house's haunted nature and the fact that it is "haunted by the people who lived there years ago". He is also aware of his own mortality and the fact that he too will eventually become a ghost.
The Line that Summarizes the Speaker's Overall Perspective
The line that summarizes the speaker's overall perspective is "life, to be sure, is nothing much to lose". This line appears towards the end of the poem and reflects the speaker's acceptance of his own mortality and the transience of life. The line suggests that the speaker is not afraid of death and that he sees life as something that is fleeting and not worth holding onto too tightly. This perspective is consistent with the theme of the poem, which is the inevitability of death and the impermanence of life.
Conclusion
"Ghost House" is a haunting poem that explores the themes of death, transience, and mortality. The speaker's perspective is one of ambivalence, as he is drawn to the house and its history but is also aware of its haunted nature and the inevitability of his own death. The line that summarizes the speaker's overall perspective is "life, to be sure, is nothing much to lose", which reflects his acceptance of mortality and his belief that life is fleeting and not worth holding onto too tightly.
