English

Clarence

19 September, 11:40

Mr. Frost's book reveals a disease which is eating into the vitals of our New England life, at least in its rural communities. What is there in the hard, vigorous climate of these states which plants the seeds of degeneration? Is the violence and ugliness of their religious belief the cause of these twisted and tortured lives? Have the sane, full-blooded men all been drafted away to the cities, or the West, leaving behind only feeble remainders of a once fine stock? ... Mr. Frost's is not the kindly New England of Whittier, nor the humorous and sensible one of Lowell; it is a latter-day New England, where a civilization is decaying to give place to another and very different one. Based on what you have read in "A Servant to Servants," do you agree with Lowell's analysis? Cite evidence and examples from the poem to support your response of at least 150 words.