The Vanishing RedRobert frost

BackgroundFirst published in 1916, Republished in 1920

Written in Mountain Interval

A new style for Frost, this poem was written about racism and history which was unusual for frost.

Written during the discrimination era.

TitleA tragedy being forgotten

Bodies disappearing

Red representing the blood, Vanishing represents death of many people

Interpretation A man was caught snooping around a mill. He

saw something that he was not suppose to. The Miller, who was of a different race, then decided to murder him. Eventually people had forgotten about this tragedy. Soon it was a story they could not believe had happened.

Actual Meaning of the Poem

The red man is a Native American who is snooping around the Government, which is the Miller.

The Redman is snooping around in order to change the fact that they are being discriminated against regardless of how difficult it may be.

The last two stanzas represents if they went against the government, then they would be punished for their actions.

Connotation Symbolism: Lines 2-3; These two lines represent

the fact that the Miller has more power than the Red man. They have more of the control

Foreshadowing: Lines 15-19; These lines show that something dangerous is about to happen between the Miller and John

Continued Simile: Line 22; comparing the water going

through a narrow pathway just like frantic fish trying to get through a small path as well. It would be difficult for both.

Symbolism: Line 22; The Miller showed john how deathly afraid he would be for his life because he had snooped around when he should not have been.

Attitude Tone: antagonistic, cold, cynical, disrespectful,

enraged, forceful, sinister, threatening, uncertain, unfriendly, unsympathetic

Mood: heartbroken, merciless, painful

ShiftIn the first stanza is the reflection of how the

government had more power over the Native Americans. Then the second and third stanza explains the murder of John

ThemeThe theme for this poem is, people can be cruel

as to how they treat others.

The government controls the people and has no sympathy for them.