A HARD FROST, Study notes of Poetry

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ALPINE SKI HOUSE

A HARD

FROST

Cecil Day-Lewis

ALPINE SKI HOUSE

CECIL DAY-LEWIS

• Irish poet
• Lectured at Cambridge, Oxford and Harvard
• In 1968 became Poet Laureate of the UK
  • Appointed as a member of the royal household
• Poetry often addresses relevant social issues and relationships

FORM & STRUCTURE 4

• Appearance versus reality
  • On the surface the cold, hard landscape

seems unforgiving and infertile

• But the real change is happening

beneath the surface

• Hardship before growth
  • The ground needed to be frozen in

order for it to crack and let in air and

moisture so that the seeds can sprout

THEME

• Two stanzas of similar length
• No rhyme scheme
• Arranged to support the content
  • The first stanza describes the scene
  • The second stanza comments on it and

exposes the ‘truth’ of the first.

A frost came in the night and stole my world 5 Overnight, a frost has developed on the landscape and when the speaker sees it, they think their world has been stolen and replaced with a counterfeit version. But it is too beautiful to be genuine. The frost is PERSONIFIED as a thief.

A frost came in the night and stole my world And left this changeling for it - a precocious Image of spring, too brilliant to be true: 7 Overnight, a frost has developed on the landscape and when the speaker sees it, they think their world has been stolen and replaced with a counterfeit version. But it is too beautiful to be genuine. The frost is PERSONIFIED as a thief. This comes from a myth/legend where a changeling is a fairy child that had been left in place of a human child stolen by the fairies. Developing/ arriving earlier than expected. Suggests that it is only the appearance of Spring, not the real thing. It’s too good to be true and should not be trusted. The TONE is disapproving.

White lilac on the window-pane, each grass-blade Furred like a catkin, 8 The speaker describes how the frost has transformed elements of his surroundings – specifically comparing them to elements of Spring. The frost on the glass is compared to the shape of white lilacs. This SIMILE describes the furry appearance of the frost-covered grass.

The elms behind the house are elms no longer 10 This description of the trees emphasises the beauty of this ‘frosted’ world, but also hints that it is not permanent and could be an illusion. Reminding us that change has occurred.

The elms behind the house are elms no longer But blossomers in crystal, stems of the mist That hangs yet in the valley below 11 This description of the trees emphasises the beauty of this ‘frosted’ world, but also hints that it is not permanent and could be an illusion. This METAPHOR compares the trees to blooming crystal flowers (^) It appears as if they are growing out of the mist. Reminding us that change has occurred.

The sun looks out and the fields blaze with diamonds Mockery spring, 13 This begins to explore the implications of this temporary state. Though it is beautiful, it is not permanent. And, because it was so beautiful, we are dissatisfied with what is left once it has gone. The sun is PERSONIFIED

• his gaze will cause the change. This is a METAPHOR comparing the glistening frost to diamonds as it catches the sunlight. Giving this ‘appearance’ of Spring a sinister tone

The sun looks out and the fields blaze with diamonds Mockery spring, to lend this bridal gear For a few hours to a raw country maid, Then leave her all disconsolate with old fairings Of aconite and snowdrop! 14 This begins to explore the implications of this temporary state. Though it is beautiful, it is not permanent. And, because it was so beautiful, we are dissatisfied with what is left once it has gone. The sun is PERSONIFIED

• his gaze will cause the change. This is a METAPHOR comparing the glistening frost to diamonds as it catches the sunlight. Giving this ‘appearance’ of Spring a sinister tone When the frost melts, the normal flowers, without their frosty covering, are left. A METAPHOR comparing the landscape to a poor girl who is given a beautiful wedding dress only to have it taken away. This leaves her unhappy and disappointed. The frost is the tricky/deceitful person who fooled her.

No, not here Amid this flounce and filigree of death Is the real transformation scene in progress, But deep below 16 The temporary frost will disappear but it’s real purpose, the loosening of the soil, will come to bare fruit in the future. Highlights the theme of appearance versus reality The outward manifestation of the frost is described (with ALLITERATION) as decorative flourishes. These are hiding the fatal effect of the frost on plants. A contrast to previous DICTION – ‘image’ and ‘mockery’.

No, not here Amid this flounce and filigree of death Is the real transformation scene in progress, But deep below where frost Worrying the stiff clods unclenches their Grip on the seed and lets the future breathe. 17 The temporary frost will disappear but it’s real purpose, the loosening of the soil, will come to bare fruit in the future. Highlights the theme of appearance versus reality. The frost is disturbing the soil to expose what is below The outward manifestation of the frost is described (with ALLITERATION) as decorative flourishes. These are hiding the fatal effect of the frost on plants. A contrast to previous DICTION – ‘image’ and ‘mockery’. The real change is the frost causing cracks in the hard earth which allows air and water to reach the seeds. Ends with a hopeful TONE.