During a snowy winter night, a traveller and his horse stop near the woods. The poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” shows us the attraction the persona is feeling towards the darkness, the loneliness and the newness of the woods. Robert Frost opposes two worlds in the interior monologue of the persona, one being civilization, which is associated with duty, and the other nature, which represents temptation. In order to make this opposition appear, the poet multiplies the use of words and sounds referring to each of these universes.

The opposition between civilization and nature is shown in every stanza. Stopping by woods, the persona is uncertain about who their owner is. Although these woods might be wild, they belong to someone who lives in the village. While starting to admire the environment, the traveller keeps thinking about the outside world. Nevertheless, he decides to make these woods his own for the time being, “To watch his woods fill up with snow.” (verse 4). Soon after, he is reminded of civilization by his horse, which acts as a witness. The persona and his horse are on their way and they are not supposed to stop until they have reached their aim. Despite this, the persona stops, “Between the woods and frozen lake / The darkest evening of the year.” (verses 7 and 8). He is fascinated and attracted by the scenery and the quietness “Of easy wind and downy flake” (verse 12) but his horse reminds him of civilization and breaks the silence when “He gives his harness bells a shake / To ask if there is some mistake” (verses 9 and 10). In the final stanza, the traveller, subdued by the woods that are described as “[…] lovely, dark and deep” (verse 13), seems tempted to change the course of his life by ending his journey there, which would almost certainly lead him to death, as the scene takes place on a cold winter night. In this case, the woods could represent the end of life, in opposition to the outside world which would mean to accept his destiny and returning to his social obligations. In the three last verses of the poem, conscience of the outside world and its duties take over the persona’s thoughts. He mentions still having a long way to go before being able to sleep.

The opposition between nature and civilization is reinforced by the use of a rhyme pattern. In the first stanza, the “o” sound appears at the end of every verse but the third, suggesting the softness of the landscape and making the reader feel the peacefulness of the setting. In addition, the rhythm of every verse, composed of four feet and unstressed syllables followed by stressed ones (iambic), enhances this feeling. The combination of iambic feet and the predominant use of monosyllabic words makes the poem sounds like a soft melody. As and when the poem goes on, the rhymes progress, becoming a little bit harsher, introducing a feeling of worry coming from the outside, as when the horse “[…] gives his harness bells a shake / To ask if there is some mistake” (verse 9 and 10).

All along the poem, the persona hesitates between civilization and nature. He seems hypnotised by the woods and would like to remain there. If he decides to remain, his destiny would be completely changed. The uncertainty remains until the last verse of the poem and there is no clear indication that the persona chooses to go on. However he is aware of his duties and of the choice he has to make.