VCCS Litonline

Sound

This passage begins the visual journey through the woods. In this journey, Frost wants the reader to see the birches as they really are and as they seem in a series of pleasant images. Part of the realism comes from the sound of passages like this one:

Frost's alliteration--here the repetition of /z/ and /s/ and /k/ sounds--lets us hear as well as see the birch trees after a freezing rain and the morning after as the melting begins. The /k/ sound in "crack" and "crazes" mimics the sound of the ice in the breeze "shattering" and crashing "on the snow crust." It also imitates the crunch of snow under the weight of boots. The /s/ and /z/ sounds suggest the rising breeze--his use of /s/ sounds increases as it rises. These sounds also suggest the scratch and swish of birch branches scraped on the crust. Perhaps they also imitate the swish of layers of warm garments rubbing together as you walk.

These sounds contribute to the tone, or attitude, concerning "Truth," or reality. The upheaval caused by the breeze and the sun's warmth portray a shattered, uncomfortable feeling. Life is full its peaceful ups; however, it also consists of shattering downs.