A VAN DIJKIAN DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF ROBERT FROST’S 'STOPPING BY WOODS ON A SNOWY EVENING

Abstract

This study critiques Robert Frost’s poem Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening through the lens of Teun A. Van Dijk’s social model of discourse analysis. While Frost is often regarded as a poet of nature, this research highlights the deeper socio-political and psychological dimensions embedded in his work. The study explores how Frost’s portrayal of solitude, duty, and contemplation reflects broader societal constructs and individual cognition. By employing qualitative methods, including stylistic, biographical, and linguistic approaches, this research uncovers the symbolic and ideological undertones of the poem. Findings suggest that Frost’s depiction of nature serves as a refuge and a site of internal conflict, mirroring human struggles against social obligations and existential concerns. The study further argues that the poem’s communicative event and discourse structures embody tensions between personal introspection and societal expectations. This research contributes to literary discourse by illustrating how Frost’s poetry transcends mere natural imagery to engage with complex socio-cultural narratives.