Robert Frost

Revelation

    WE make ourselves a place apart

    Behind light words that tease and flout,

    But oh, the agitated heart

    Till someone find us really out.

    'Tis pity if the case require

    (Or so we say) that in the end

    We speak the literal to inspire

    The understanding of a friend.

    But so with all, from babes that play

    At hide-and-seek to God afar,

    So all who hide too well away

    Must speak and tell us where they are. 

I chose this poem because it’s short and simple but still conveys a strong message. I’m someone who admires honesty and Frost shows its importance in this poem. I also felt like I understood this piece of work more than I did some of the others.

I think Frost is trying to describe how we sometimes put up a front by telling lies. For whatever reason it may be, we'll try to be someone we’re not. And although we may be capable of making others believe our pretense initially, sooner or later the truth will be revealed in some way or another. When that happens, we fear of losing respect from those who trusted us, causing pity. Frost’s point is that we should always be honest – to ourselves and to others. People will eventually see through your facade and find the inner you.

One literary device I found was personification when Frost writes, “the agitated heart.” The heart is an organ and obviously can’t literally be agitated. By using personification, Frost expresses the emotion we feel when we’re not being who we are.