logo

18 pages 36 minutes read

Robert Frost

October

Robert FrostFiction | Poem | Adult | Published in 1913

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Literary Devices

Form and Meter

Frost uses a traditional leaning yet unique brand of form and meter. “October” is written in a single stanza punctuated by distinct sentences within the stanza block. While the poem is presented in only a single stanza, each sentence serves to suggest a stanza, as each sentence introduces its own idea. The lines within Frost’s poem “October” range from eight to nine beats per line, with only the line “Slow, slow!” (Line 17) falling outside of that convention.

Frost’s form and meter make a clear stylistic nod to something he felt was integral to his poetry. He believed poems should sound conversational in the way natural speech is, and his adherence to a steady meter reflect this desire. The verse within the poem is formal in that it provides a distinct rhyme scheme yet does not adhere to any specific mode or traditionally understood form of verse. Typical to other Frost poems, “October” has a unique rhyme scheme determined not by a traditional mode, but by Frost’s own ear.

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 18 pages of this Study Guide

Plus, gain access to 8,350+ more expert-written Study Guides.

Including features:

+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools