A Roadside Stand – Robert Frost

Feeling the Poem!

Imagine you are the owner of a small roadside stand, living in a rural area far from the bustling cities. Every day, you watch countless cars speed past your stand, hoping that just one of them will stop and buy something. You’ve put up this stand with the hope that the money from city people could bring some comfort and prosperity to your life, just like the promises you’ve seen in movies and heard from the government.

But day after day, your hopes are dashed. The polished cars rush by without a second glance, and if they do stop, it’s not to buy anything from you. They complain that your stand spoils the beauty of the landscape, or they ask for directions, or even for a gallon of gas that you don’t have. The little money you make isn’t enough to lift your spirits or improve your situation.

You feel a deep sadness and longing, waiting all day for the sound of brakes—a sign that someone might finally be interested in what you have to offer. But this rarely happens. Your longing feels childish and in vain, as the reality of your struggle becomes clear.

The government and social service agencies claim they want to help people like you, but their actions seem more about controlling your life than truly improving it. They talk about relocating you to a village with modern conveniences, but you fear that this will only make you more dependent and strip away your independence and traditional way of life.

Sometimes, in your darkest moments, you even wish for an end to your suffering, thinking that it would be a relief. But then you realize that if someone offered to end your pain, you might not accept it, because you still hold onto the hope that things could get better.

As the owner of this roadside stand, you experience the deep frustration, longing, and disappointment that comes with being ignored by the wealthy city people who could easily help you, but choose not to. Your life is a constant struggle between hope and despair, as you wait for a better future that seems just out of reach.

Stanza 1

The little old house was out with a little new shed
In front at the edge of the road where the traffic sped,
A roadside stand that too pathetically pled,
It would not be fair to say for a dole of bread,
But for some of the money, the cash, whose flow supports
The flower of cities from sinking and withering faint.

Questions and Answers

1. How is the roadside stand described in the stanza?
   Answer: The roadside stand is described as a modest setup with a little old house and a new shed placed at the edge of a road where traffic moves quickly. The description conveys its simplicity and somewhat desperate appearance.
2. What does the poet mean by the roadside stand “pathetically pled”?
   Answer: The phrase “pathetically pled” suggests that the stand is making a desperate and earnest appeal for attention and support, highlighting its urgent need for financial assistance.
3. What is implied by the comparison of the stand’s plea to asking for “a dole of bread”?
   Answer: The comparison implies that the request of the stand is not as minimal as a basic handout; rather, it seeks a more substantial financial support. The plea is not just for survival but for financial help that could provide a better quality of life.
4. What does the stanza suggest about the role of money in relation to the “flower of cities”?
   Answer: The stanza suggests that money is crucial for maintaining the vibrancy and prosperity of cities (“the flower of cities”). The “flow of cash” is essential for preventing cities from “sinking and withering faint,” indicating its importance in supporting urban growth and stability.
5. How does the poet contrast the needs of the roadside stand with the financial support enjoyed by cities?
   Answer: The poet contrasts the modest and desperate needs of the roadside stand with the more substantial financial resources enjoyed by cities. While cities benefit from a steady flow of cash that supports their flourishing, the roadside stand’s appeal for financial help is much more desperate and basic in nature.
6. What emotional tone does the poet convey in this stanza?
   Answer: The poet conveys a tone of sympathy and frustration. The description of the roadside stand as “pathetically pled” reflects a sense of urgency and the emotional struggle of the people running the stand in contrast to the financial security of urban centers.

Stanza

The polished traffic passed with a mind ahead,
Or if ever aside a moment, then out of sorts
At having the landscape marred with the artless paint
Of signs that with N turned wrong and S turned wrong.

Questions and Answers

1. How does the poet describe the behavior of the traffic passing by the roadside stand?
   Answer: The poet describes the traffic as “polished,” meaning it represents people who are preoccupied and focused on their own destinations (“with a mind ahead”). When they do notice the stand, it is often with irritation or discomfort (“out of sorts”).
2. What reaction do the drivers have to the signs at the roadside stand?
   Answer: The drivers react negatively to the signs at the roadside stand, considering them a disturbance to the landscape. The signs are described as “artless paint,” suggesting they are simple and poorly made, which contrasts with the polished appearance of the passing traffic.
3. What does the poet imply about the appearance of the signs at the roadside stand?
   Answer: The poet implies that the signs are poorly designed and ineffectively communicated, as evidenced by the signs having directions that are “N turned wrong and S turned wrong,” indicating confusion and a lack of proper orientation.
4. How does the poet’s description of the signs reflect the overall theme of the poem?
   Answer: The description of the signs reflects the theme of neglect and disregard faced by the roadside stand. The disapproval of the signs by the passing traffic symbolizes the broader societal indifference to the struggles of the rural or less affluent.
5. What does the phrase “landscape marred with the artless paint” suggest about the impact of the roadside stand on its surroundings?
   Answer: The phrase suggests that the roadside stand and its signs are seen as an eyesore or blemish on the otherwise polished and orderly landscape. It highlights how the stand’s presence disrupts the aesthetic or perceived quality of the environment for those passing by.
6. What emotional tone does the poet convey towards the reaction of the traffic to the roadside stand?
   Answer: The poet conveys a tone of criticism and perhaps pity. The irritation of the traffic and the dismissive attitude towards the roadside stand’s signs reflect a sense of frustration with the lack of empathy and understanding for the stand’s situation.

Stanza 3

Offered for sale wild berries in wooden quarts,
Or crook-necked golden squash with silver warts,
Or beauty rest in a beautiful mountain scene.

Questions and Answers

1. What items are being offered for sale at the roadside stand?
   Answer: The items offered for sale include wild berries packaged in wooden quarts, crook-necked golden squash with distinctive silver warts, and artistic depictions of a beautiful mountain scene.
2. How does the poet describe the wild berries and squash?
   Answer: The wild berries are described as being sold in wooden quarts, emphasizing their rustic and natural presentation. The squash is described as “crook-necked” with “silver warts,” highlighting its unique and somewhat imperfect appearance.
3. What does the poet imply about the appeal of the items for sale?
   Answer: The poet implies that the items for sale have a rustic and homemade charm, reflecting the local, down-to-earth nature of the roadside stand’s offerings. However, their unique or imperfect features may not appeal to the polished tastes of city dwellers.
4. How does the phrase “beauty rest in a beautiful mountain scene” contrast with the other items?
   Answer: The phrase “beauty rest in a beautiful mountain scene” contrasts with the other items by suggesting an artistic or picturesque element, rather than a tangible product for sale. It indicates an appeal to aesthetic appreciation, rather than practical needs.
5. What theme does the description of the items for sale highlight in relation to the roadside stand’s purpose?
   Answer: The description highlights the theme of rural authenticity and simplicity. The items for sale reflect a genuine and unrefined connection to the land, contrasting with the more sophisticated and possibly indifferent urban tastes.
6. What does the poet’s choice of items reveal about the economic and social context of the roadside stand?
   Answer: The poet’s choice of items reveals that the roadside stand represents a humble and modest economic endeavor, offering locally grown produce and artistic items that reflect the rural lifestyle. This context underscores the economic disparity and the challenge of competing with urban markets.

Stanza

You have the money, but if you want to be mean,
Why keep your money (this crossly) and go along.

Questions and Answers

1. What is the speaker’s attitude towards people who pass by without buying?
   Answer: The speaker’s attitude is one of frustration and reproach. The use of the word “mean” implies that those who pass by without buying are being stingy or unkind, despite having the means to support the stand.
2. What does the phrase “Why keep your money (this crossly)” suggest about the speaker’s feelings?
   Answer: The phrase suggests that the speaker feels bitter or resentful towards those who choose to keep their money instead of using it to support the roadside stand. The term “crossly” emphasizes the speaker’s irritation and disappointment.
3. How does the speaker’s statement reflect the broader theme of economic disparity in the poem?
   Answer: The speaker’s statement reflects the theme of economic disparity by highlighting the contrast between those who have money and those who need it. It underscores the frustration of the rural people who struggle while the wealthier city dwellers choose not to help.
4. What does the directive “go along” imply about the speaker’s view of the city people?
   Answer: The directive “go along” implies that the speaker sees the city people as indifferent or unhelpful, suggesting that if they are not willing to contribute, they should simply move on without further engagement.
5. How does the poet use this stanza to criticize societal attitudes?
   Answer: The poet uses this stanza to criticize the societal attitudes of apathy and selfishness. By highlighting the inconsistency between the city people’s financial ability and their reluctance to help, the poet critiques the lack of empathy and support for the rural community.
6. What emotional tone is conveyed through the speaker’s remarks in this stanza?
   Answer: The tone conveyed is one of frustration and indignation. The speaker feels angry and disillusioned about the lack of compassion from those who could make a difference but choose not to.

Stanza

The hurt to the scenery wouldn’t be my complaint,
So much as the trusting sorrow of what is unsaid:

Questions and Answers

1. What does the poet mean by “The hurt to the scenery wouldn’t be my complaint”?
   Answer: The poet means that the damage or disruption to the visual appeal of the landscape is not the primary concern. Instead, the real issue is deeper and more personal.
2. What does the poet express as their main concern in this stanza?
   Answer: The poet’s main concern is the “trusting sorrow of what is unsaid,” which reflects a deeper emotional pain related to the unspoken struggles and unmet needs of the rural people.
3. How does the phrase “trusting sorrow” contribute to the theme of the poem?
   Answer: The phrase “trusting sorrow” contributes to the theme by highlighting the emotional burden and disappointment of the rural people who have hope and trust in the system but are left unacknowledged and unsupported.
4. What is implied by the term “what is unsaid” in the context of this stanza?
   Answer: The term “what is unsaid” implies the silent suffering and unvoiced needs of the rural people. It suggests that there are deeper issues and feelings that are not openly discussed or addressed.
5. How does the poet contrast the visible impact on the scenery with the invisible emotional impact on the people?
   Answer: The poet contrasts the visible impact on the scenery, which is seen as a minor issue, with the invisible emotional impact on the people, which is portrayed as a profound and significant concern. This highlights the disparity between outward appearances and internal suffering.
6. What emotional tone does the poet convey in this stanza regarding the rural people’s situation?
   Answer: The poet conveys a tone of empathy and sadness. The focus on “trusting sorrow” reflects a deep emotional resonance and concern for the unspoken and often overlooked struggles of the rural people.

Stanza

Here far from the city we make our roadside stand
And ask for some city money to feel in hand
To try if it will not make our being expand,
And give us the life of the moving-pictures’ promise
That the party in power is said to be keeping from us.

Questions and Answers

1. What is the purpose of setting up the roadside stand according to this stanza?
   Answer: The purpose of setting up the roadside stand is to obtain some financial support from city dwellers, which the rural people hope will improve their situation and provide them with a better quality of life.
2. What does the phrase “city money to feel in hand” imply about the rural people’s intentions?
   Answer: The phrase implies that the rural people are seeking the financial resources of the city in the hope that it will bring them greater opportunities and a sense of security or improvement in their lives.
3. How does the poet express the rural people’s hope for “expanding” their being?
   Answer: The poet expresses this hope by suggesting that receiving city money could lead to personal and economic growth, allowing them to experience a better quality of life and opportunities, much like the promises made in popular media.
4. What is meant by “the life of the moving-pictures’ promise”?
   Answer: The “life of the moving-pictures’ promise” refers to the idealized and glamorous lifestyle often depicted in movies, which contrasts sharply with the rural people’s current reality. They hope that city money might help them achieve such a promised and desirable way of life.
5. What does the reference to “the party in power” suggest about the rural people’s expectations?
   Answer: The reference to “the party in power” suggests that the rural people believe that those in political authority are responsible for providing or facilitating the improvements and opportunities they desire but feel are being withheld from them.
6. How does this stanza reflect the theme of disparity between urban and rural life?
   Answer: This stanza reflects the theme of disparity by highlighting the rural people’s desire for financial assistance from the city to bridge the gap between their current situation and the more affluent lifestyle they see portrayed in urban media. It underscores the contrast between their rural hardships and the urban promises.

Stanza

It is in the news that all these pitiful kin
Are to be bought out and mercifully gathered in
To live in villages, next to the theatre and the store,
Where they won’t have to think for themselves anymore,
While greedy good-doers, beneficent beasts of prey,
Swarm over their lives enforcing benefits
That are calculated to soothe them out of their wits,
And by teaching them how to sleep they sleep all day,
Destroy their sleeping at night the ancient way.

Questions and Answers

1. What is the “news” referred to in this stanza?
   Answer: The “news” refers to reports or announcements about plans to relocate and integrate rural people into more developed areas, such as villages near theaters and stores, in an effort to improve their lives.
2. How does the poet characterize the intentions behind relocating the rural people?
   Answer: The poet characterizes the intentions as patronizing and self-serving. The rural people are to be “mercifully gathered in” as if they need saving, and the efforts are portrayed as intrusive and controlling rather than genuinely beneficial.
3. What criticism does the poet express about the so-called “benefits” provided to the rural people?
   Answer: The poet criticizes the benefits as manipulative and superficial. He describes the “benefits” as designed to pacify the rural people and undermine their traditional ways of life, ultimately leading them to become passive and disconnected from their own culture.
4. What does the poet imply about the impact of these benefits on the rural people’s lives?
   Answer: The poet implies that these benefits will negatively impact the rural people’s lives by making them passive and overly dependent. The benefits are described as something that will “soothe them out of their wits,” suggesting that they will lose their ability to think critically and independently.
5. How does the poet view the idea of teaching rural people “how to sleep” in relation to their traditional ways?
   Answer: The poet views the idea of teaching rural people “how to sleep” as a means of eradicating their traditional lifestyle and cultural practices. He suggests that this modern intervention will disrupt their natural rhythms and ways of living, leading to a loss of their heritage and autonomy.
6. What theme does this stanza highlight about the relationship between modernity and traditional rural life?
   Answer: This stanza highlights the theme of the conflict between modernity and traditional rural life. It criticizes the modern approach as being intrusive and detrimental, suggesting that the imposition of urban values and systems on rural people undermines their traditional practices and self-sufficiency.

Stanza

Sometimes I feel myself I can hardly bear
The thought of so much childish longing in vain,
The sadness that lurks near the open window there,
That waits all day in almost open prayer
For the squeal of brakes, the sound of a stopping car,
Of all the thousand selfish cars that pass,
Just one to inquire what a farmer’s prices are.

Questions and Answers

1. What is the speaker’s emotional state in this stanza?
   Answer: The speaker is overwhelmed with a sense of despair and sadness. They express difficulty in bearing the “childish longing in vain” and the persistent hope for something that rarely happens.
2. What does the speaker mean by “childish longing in vain”?
   Answer: “Childish longing in vain” refers to the innocent yet futile hope of the rural people that someone will stop to inquire about their goods. It underscores the sense of unfulfilled desire and disappointment.
3. How does the speaker describe the atmosphere near the open window?
   Answer: The speaker describes the atmosphere near the open window as filled with sadness and a sense of almost hopeful prayer, waiting for a car to stop. This conveys a poignant sense of expectation and despair.
4. What is the significance of the “squeal of brakes” and “sound of a stopping car” in the stanza?
   Answer: The “squeal of brakes” and “sound of a stopping car” symbolize the rare moments of hope and potential opportunity for the roadside stand. They represent the infrequent but much-desired chance for someone to show interest in their goods.
5. How does the poet contrast the expected interaction with the reality described in the stanza?
   Answer: The poet contrasts the expected interaction—where a driver would stop and inquire about prices—with the reality of a large number of “selfish cars” that pass by without stopping. This contrast emphasizes the rarity and significance of any positive engagement.
6. What theme does this stanza highlight about the relationship between hope and reality for the rural people?
   Answer: This stanza highlights the theme of disillusionment and the gap between hope and reality. It reflects the rural people’s ongoing hope for connection and recognition, which is seldom fulfilled, leaving them in a state of persistent disappointment and longing.

Stanza

And one did stop, but only to plow up grass
In using the yard to back and turn around;
And another to ask the way to where it was bound;
And another to ask could they sell it a gallon of gas.
They couldn’t (this crossly); they had none, didn’t it see?
No, in country money, the country scale of gain,
The requisite lift of spirit has never been found,
Or so the voice of the country seems to complain.

Questions and Answers

1. What happens when a car actually stops at the roadside stand?
   Answer: When a car stops, it either uses the yard to turn around, asks for directions, or requests a gallon of gas. None of these interactions result in a genuine engagement with the stand’s offerings.
2. How does the speaker describe the interactions with the cars that stopped?
   Answer: The interactions are described as disappointing and unhelpful. The cars either use the yard for turning, ask irrelevant questions, or request services that the stand cannot provide, leading to frustration.
3. What is the reaction of the roadside stand to requests for gas?
   Answer: The reaction is one of irritation, as the stand does not have any gas to sell and responds crossly. This adds to the frustration of the stand’s operators.
4. What does the phrase “country money, the country scale of gain” imply about the value and support for rural life?
   Answer: The phrase implies that the financial and economic support available in rural areas is insufficient and undervalued compared to the needs of the community. It suggests that the economic opportunities and benefits in rural areas are lacking.
5. How does the stanza reflect the theme of inadequacy and frustration in the rural context?
   Answer: The stanza reflects the theme of inadequacy and frustration by showing that despite efforts to engage with passing cars, the interactions are unsatisfactory and unproductive. This highlights the ongoing struggle and lack of meaningful support for rural people.
6. What does the poet suggest about the broader sentiment of the rural community through “the voice of the country”?
   Answer: The poet suggests that the broader sentiment of the rural community is one of discontent and dissatisfaction. The “voice of the country” complains about the lack of genuine support and recognition, reflecting the ongoing challenges and disappointments faced by rural people.

Stanza

I can’t help owning the great relief it would be
To put these people at one stroke out of their pain.
And then next day as I come back into the sane,
I wonder how I should like you to come to me
And offer to put me gently out of my pain.

Questions and Answers

1. What does the speaker express a desire to do for the rural people?
   Answer: The speaker expresses a desire to relieve the rural people’s suffering completely and quickly, suggesting that it would be a great relief to end their pain all at once.
2. What is the speaker’s reaction the day after contemplating this action?
   Answer: The speaker reflects on their earlier desire and questions how they would feel if someone offered to end their own pain in the same manner. This indicates a reconsideration and emotional complexity about the idea of ending suffering.
3. What does the speaker’s reflection about their own pain reveal about their thoughts on ending suffering?
   Answer: The speaker’s reflection reveals a deeper awareness of the implications of ending suffering. It shows that, upon further consideration, the idea of someone offering to end their own pain brings up uncomfortable feelings, highlighting the complexity and personal nature of suffering.
4. How does the poet use the concept of “sane” in the context of this stanza?
   Answer: The poet uses “sane” to refer to a state of clarity and rational thinking. The speaker suggests that upon returning to a rational mindset, they reconsider the initial impulse to end the rural people’s pain and evaluate it more critically.
5. What theme is highlighted through the speaker’s contemplation of ending pain for both the rural people and themselves?
   Answer: The theme highlighted is the complexity and moral ambiguity of alleviating suffering. The speaker grapples with the ethical implications of ending pain, recognizing that such decisions are fraught with emotional and moral dilemmas.
6. How does this stanza contribute to the overall message of the poem?
   Answer: This stanza contributes to the overall message by illustrating the tension between the desire to help and the moral complexities involved in addressing suffering. It underscores the speaker’s internal conflict and deeper understanding of the implications of such actions, adding depth to the poem’s exploration of rural struggles and empathy.

Let’s now look at the Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). Test Time!