Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Gold Hesperidee" by Robert Frost is a narrative poem that delves into themes of anticipation, loss, and moral reckoning. Through the story of Square Matthew Hale and his apple tree, Frost explores human nature's tendencies towards pride, disappointment, and the search for meaning in everyday events.

The poem begins with the young grafted apple tree of Square Matthew Hale, which blossoms and bears fruit for the first time at the age of five. This tree, named the Gold Hesperidee, is introduced as a significant symbol of hope and potential. Hale's attentiveness to the tree is depicted as meticulous and nurturing, likened to his care for livestock but imbued with a deeper sense of attachment and expectation.

When the tree bears three apples, Hale counts only two, missing one, but still considers this a promising start. His young son, also five years old, is brought to admire the fruit, reinforcing the idea of familial pride and continuity. The apples are treated with reverence, and Hale envisions them as golden treasures, aligning with their name, the Gold Hesperidee, a reference to the golden apples in Greek mythology guarded by the Hesperides.

As the seasons progress, Hale visits the apples regularly, cherishing their growth and anticipating the moment when they will be ripe for picking. This anticipation reaches a climax as autumn approaches, and he finally decides to pick the apples to ensure their safety from the impending frost. However, when he goes to retrieve them, he finds the apples missing, and the tree indifferent to their loss.

Hale's reaction to the missing apples is one of profound disappointment and frustration. On a Sunday, dressed for church, he reacts impulsively by stomping on his hat in a display of anger and helplessness. This act, seen as a moment of moral and spiritual failure, recalls the biblical story of King Ahaz, who was forbidden to worship natural objects, symbolizing Hale's misplaced devotion to the apples.

The poem concludes with Hale's realization of his folly. He recognizes his act as a sin of pride and misplaced worship. Frost suggests that God witnesses Hale's transgression but spares him public shame, allowing Hale to repent privately. This divine mercy prompts Hale to vow to be more restrained in the future, marking a personal transformation from pride and wrath to humility and self-restraint.

In summary, "The Gold Hesperidee" by Robert Frost uses the story of a man's attachment to his apple tree to explore deeper themes of human nature, including the consequences of pride, the inevitability of disappointment, and the possibility of moral redemption. Through vivid imagery and a poignant narrative, Frost captures the complexities of anticipation and loss, ultimately reflecting on the transformative power of humility and self-awareness.

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