Range-Finding by Robert Frost (1942)
The poem explores the idea of perception and reality through a speaker's experience with a range-finder, a device used to measure distances. The speaker describes how the device reveals the world in a new way, making him question his own perceptions and understanding of reality. The poem delves into themes of perspective, truth, and the nature of reality, raising questions about the reliability of human senses and the impact of technology on our understanding of the world. Through the use of imagery and symbolism, the speaker conveys a sense of disorientation and confusion, highlighting the tension between the objective measurements provided by the range-finder and the subjective experience of the natural world.
By Robert Frost · First published 1942 · Genre: Poetry, War, Nature · 135 words
First lines
The battle rent a cobweb diamond-strung And cut a flower beside a ground bird's nest Before it stained a single human breast.
The stricken flower bent double and so hung.
And still the bird revisited her young.
A butterfly its fall had dispossessed A moment sought in air his flower of rest, Then lightly stooped to it and fluttering clung.
What this Textopian page supports
Range-Finding is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Frost, dated 1942 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: 1942 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, War, Nature, Symbolism, Modernism
- Length: 135 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- War — The poem references a battle and the impact of war, focusing on its effects on nature.
- Nature — The poem vividly describes natural elements such as flowers, birds, and insects, highlighting their interaction with the environment.
- Symbolism — The poem uses symbolic imagery, such as the cobweb and butterfly, to convey deeper meanings about disruption and resilience.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Imagery · Symbolism · Metaphor · Allegory · Realism · Romanticism · American Literature · 20th Century Literature · Literary Device · Figurative Language