Mending Wall Questions and Answers | Kerala Plus Two English Chapter 2

 

MENDING WALL

-        Robert Frost

Think and Write

1. Why does the poet say that there is something that doesn't love a wall?

The poet says this because natural forces like frost and the frozen ground create gaps in the wall. Hunters also damage it. These show that nature and human activities do not support the existence of walls.

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2. Why does the poet meet his neighbour beyond the hill at spring?

The poet meets his neighbour every spring to repair the damaged wall between their properties. It has become a yearly tradition that both of them follow together.

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3. How do the poet and his neighbour mend the gaps in the wall?

The poet and his neighbour walk along the wall, collect the fallen stones, and place them back in position. They work together carefully to rebuild the wall and close all the gaps.

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4. Why does the poet argue that there is no need of a wall in between his estate and that of his neighbour?

The poet believes that there is no need for a wall because his apple trees cannot cross over and eat the neighbour's pine trees. Since there is no danger or conflict between them, the wall serves no useful purpose.

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5. How does the neighbour justify the need for walls or fences?

The neighbour believes that walls are necessary to maintain good relationships and clear boundaries between people. He simply repeats the traditional saying, "Good fences make good neighbours."

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6. Why does the poet consider the spring season mischievous?

The poet considers spring mischievous because it fills him with playful thoughts and makes him question old customs like rebuilding the wall every year. Spring inspires him to challenge traditions and think differently.

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7. What are the contrasting views presented in the poem?

The poem presents two contrasting views:

• The poet believes that unnecessary walls create separation and that people should trust one another without barriers.
• The neighbour believes that walls are important because they protect boundaries and help maintain good relationships.

These opposing ideas represent change and questioning versus tradition and convention

Activity I – Paragraph Writing

Elaborate the idea: "Good fences make good neighbours."

The proverb "Good fences make good neighbours" means that healthy relationships are built on mutual respect for each other's privacy and boundaries. In Robert Frost's Mending Wall, the neighbour believes that walls help prevent misunderstandings and maintain peace. However, the speaker questions this idea because there are no cattle or other reasons to separate their lands. He believes that unnecessary barriers create distance between people instead of bringing them closer. The poem suggests that while some boundaries are necessary, blind adherence to tradition should be questioned. True neighbourliness is based on trust, understanding, and communication rather than on physical walls alone.

Activity II – Appreciation

Appreciation of the poem "Mending Wall"

Central Idea:

Mending Wall explores the conflict between tradition and modern thinking. The speaker questions the need for walls between neighbours, while the neighbour believes that "Good fences make good neighbours." The poem encourages readers to think critically about customs and the barriers people create in society.

Symbolic Significance of the Wall:

The wall symbolises physical and emotional barriers that separate people. It also represents old traditions, prejudice, and the lack of communication. At the same time, it can symbolise personal boundaries that help maintain order and respect.

Poetic Devices:

Symbolism – the wall represents divisions between people.

Personification – nature is described as wanting to break down the wall.

Imagery – vivid descriptions of stones, woods, and spring create clear mental pictures.

Repetition – "Good fences make good neighbours" emphasises the neighbour's traditional belief.

Irony – the neighbours meet only to repair a wall that keeps them apart.

Language:

The language is simple, natural, and conversational. Frost uses everyday speech and rural images to express deep philosophical ideas.

Structure:

The poem is written in blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter). It follows a conversational style with a single continuous movement of ideas, making it thoughtful and reflective.

Conclusion:

Mending Wall is a philosophical poem that questions unnecessary barriers and encourages openness, understanding, and critical thinking instead of blindly following tradition.

 

Activity III – Comparison

Rabindranath Tagore's Gitanjali and Robert Frost's Mending Wall deal with the idea of walls, but they present the theme from different perspectives. In Gitanjali, the wall is a symbol of ego, pride, and selfishness that separate human beings from their true selves and from God. Tagore believes that these invisible barriers imprison people and prevent them from attaining spiritual freedom. In contrast, Mending Wall presents a physical wall between two neighbours, which symbolises the social and psychological barriers that divide people. While the speaker questions the need for the wall, the neighbour insists that "Good fences make good neighbours."

The language and style of the two poems are also different. Tagore uses lyrical, symbolic, and spiritual language to express his ideas. His style is reflective and philosophical, inviting readers to look within themselves. Frost, on the other hand, uses simple, conversational language with vivid rural imagery and symbolism. He presents the poem as a dialogue between two neighbours, highlighting the conflict between tradition and modern thinking.

Although the two poems differ in setting, language, and style, they convey a similar message. Both poets encourage readers to question unnecessary barriers that separate people. Tagore asks us to break the walls of ego and pride, while Frost urges us to reconsider the need for physical and emotional walls. Together, the poems teach that true relationships are built on trust, understanding, openness, and mutual respect rather than on barriers that create distance and division.