This course will examine a variety of Robert Frost’s poems that are set in winter. They will include a number of his most well-known poems, but most will be poems that should be better known.

Each class will examine a handful of poems; classes will be largely discussion. In preparation for class, participants should read each poem with care—and repeatedly—and bring to class questions, parts of the poem, or topics that they want to discuss. They are encouraged to read a biography for background (Jay Parini’s Robert Frost, A Life is recommended).

People who don’t know Frost’s work or who aren’t particularly well-versed with poetry in general are welcome, as are people who are life-long lovers of poetry and Frost’s work. Frost is well-known in part because he is one of America’s greatest poets and, at the same time, many of his poems are accessible at some level. However, his poems are rarely straightforward: like the man, his poetry is more complicated and more full of contradictions than is often appreciated. Inevitably, our discussions will bring to light some of the themes that run through Frost’s work as a whole.

This course will consist of discussions between the Study Leader and participants.