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We're on week 5 of CTC (and loving it), but neither our daughter, nor I (nor my husband) can figure out the meaning of this week's Robert Frost poem!
("One Step Backward Taken")

I *think* I have an idea of what it could mean, but wanted to ask here in case anyone could please enlighten us! Thanks!!!
(And, her painting turned out great--even if we aren't sure what the poem means, LOL!)

We just did this one. This is my own analysis and I may be wrong. It sounds to me like he was likening some kind of "mess" or tragedy in his life to a riverbed. It sort of started as the water moving pebbles as it washed down the bed...(small problem), then here came the gulley washer and it was so fast and furious that even the boulders were shaken (BIg problem or snowball effect on the smaller problem). He stood there and almost let the water wash him away (let the issue consume him) but with one step backwards (literally in the poem, figuratively speaking where the crisis is concerned), he was able to think about things with a clear head and not be swept away by it all. Once he stepped back and cleared his mind, the sun was able to shine again (literally in the poem, figuratively in his life...once the problem or crisis was solved).

I guess it is like taking a step back from the things that we allow to consume us in life...take a step back, think with a clear head, and overcome.

Thanks Rebecca!

That is similar to what I was thinking--except I was thinking it sounded like someone (or some people) were leading him down a possible bad path, (where he almost couldn't stand on his convictions), but then he stepped back and was able to avoid going along with the crowd.

I would love to hear others' interpretations on this, too!

Heather4Him wrote:Thanks Rebecca!

That is similar to what I was thinking--except I was thinking it sounded like someone (or some people) were leading him down a possible bad path, (where he almost couldn't stand on his convictions), but then he stepped back and was able to avoid going along with the crowd.

I would love to hear others' interpretations on this, too!

That is a great interpretation too!

I loved this poem and think both of your intrepretations are great! My son chose to memorize this one last year and truly enjoyed it. Robert Frost had such a way with words. It's easy to see why he won the Pulitzer Prize in poetry four times!

Blessings,
Carrie