October by Robert Frost (1941)
The poem explores the speaker's inner conflict between two paths in life, symbolized by a woods and a road. The woods represent security, comfort, and familiarity, while the road represents uncertainty, risk, and freedom. The speaker chooses the road, indicating a desire for change and self-discovery.
By Robert Frost · First published 1941 · Genre: Poetry, Nature, Pastoral · 197 words
First lines
O Hushed October morning mild, Thy leaves have ripened to the fall; To-morrow's wind, if it be wild, Should waste them all.
The crows above the forest call; To-morrow they may form and go.
O hushed October morning mild, Begin the hours of this day slow, Make the day seem to us less brief.
Hearts not averse to being beguiled, Beguile us in the way you know; Release one leaf at break of day; At noon release another leaf; One from our trees, one far away; Retard the sun with gentle mist; Enchant the land with amethyst.
What this Textopian page supports
October is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Frost, dated 1941 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Robert Frost
- Date: 1941 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Nature, Pastoral, Lyrical
- Length: 197 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for October by Robert Frost
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering October?
- How does this poem by Robert Frost fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Indian Summer Of Skies And Seasons by Henry Van Dyke
- To Earthward by Robert Frost
- At Eventide by John Greenleaf Whittier
- The Last Walk In Autumn by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Autumn Thought by Langston Hughes
- Another Old Song by Edward Thomas
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse, utilizing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Nature — The poem focuses on natural elements like leaves, wind, and grapes, emphasizing the beauty and transition of the season.
- Pastoral — The imagery and themes revolve around rural life and the natural world, typical of pastoral literature.
- Lyrical — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections on the passage of time, a hallmark of lyrical poetry.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Seasonal · Autumn · Mortality · Fleeting Life · Impermanence · Change · Cycles of Life · Death · Loss · Memory