A ROADSIDE STAND Summary

A Roadside Stand Robert Frost 

Theme

The poem, "The Roadside Stand' is Robert Frost's scathing criticism of an unequal society where there is a huge division between the rich and the poor, the haves and the have-nots, owing to the inequitous distribution of wealth. The poem depicts, with clarity, the plight of the poor and the complex dynamics of their existence. It also focuses on the unfortunate fact that the unequal progress and development between cities and villages have led to the feelings of distress and unhappiness in the rural people.

A Roadside Stand Introduction

In A Roadside Stand', the poet Robert Frost describes the miserable condition of the people living in the countryside. The city people who drive through the countryside hardly stop at the roadside stand nor do they care tor the people who run it. If at all they do stop, they do so to criticise the place and the people. Frost describes the lives of the poor people with pitiless clarity and with deepest sympathy and humanity.

Summary

In front, at the edge of the road, stood a roadside stand. The movement of traffic continued but very few people cared to stop there. Those who ran the stand did not raise it for a dole of bread but certainly expected people to come there and buy something which would help them earn some money.

The rich passed through that place but didn't stop there as they found the landscape spoiled by clumsy paint. They were irritated to find sign like 'S' and 'N' turned wrong. The roadside stand offered ordinary things like, wild berries in wooden quarts, golden gourd and also offered a peaceful stay in the lap of nature. So, they asked for some money in hand to progress and expand. They wished to lead a kind of life as promised by moving pictures but it was a distant dream for them. The party in power and the government is indifferent to the demands of the rural poor.

There is a rumour that these pitiable people and their belongings are to be bought out and then they won't have to think for themselves anymore. But the so-called 'good doers' will control their lives and earn huge profits for themselves. Their only aim is to exploit the innocent and mint money. The poet feels the helplessness of those running the roadside stand.as they hope against the hope to earn money from their prospective customers. They keep their window open and wait all day long for the customers. They want to hear the loud sound of brakes and of stopping cars but in vain. They are least bothered about the fate of the farmers. Few of them stop only to use the yard to back and turn around, or to ask the way to where it was bound 'and yet another to ask if they sell a gallon of gas, which they have none.

Money is required for human progress but in the countryside circulation of money is negligible. Without money and development the rural poor remains depressed. They seem to complain of their step motherly treatment and injustice.. The poet feels that they would be greatly relieved if they are put out of the pain at one stroke. Death is far better than their miserable living..

P-4 A Roadside Stand Question Answer / Vocabulary 

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