Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Gift Outright" is a poem by Robert Frost that explores the themes of national identity, sacrifice, and the power of the land. The poem was first published in 1942.

The poem is structured in three stanzas of equal length, and is written in iambic pentameter. The poem's language and imagery evoke a sense of patriotism and nationalism, as the speaker reflects on the history and identity of the United States.

The poem begins by describing the land that the United States occupies, and the way that this land has been shaped by the struggles and sacrifices of those who have come before us. The speaker notes that the land is a gift that has been given to us by those who have come before us, and that we must honor this gift by continuing to build and shape the country.

Throughout the poem, the speaker reflects on the way that the land represents the identity of the United States, and the sacrifices that have been made in order to secure and defend this identity. The speaker suggests that the land represents a shared heritage and a common purpose, and that it is our responsibility to continue to build and shape the country for future generations.

The poem's emotional climax comes in the final stanza, when the speaker reflects on the way that the land represents the power and potential of the United States. The poem ends with the iconic lines, "The land was ours before we were the land's. / She was our land more than a hundred years / Before we were her people."

Overall, "The Gift Outright" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of national identity, sacrifice, and the power of the land. The poem suggests that the land represents a shared heritage and a common purpose, and that it is our responsibility to honor this gift by continuing to build and shape the country for future generations.