The Flower Boat

by Robert Frost

Directions: Read the following poem by Frost several times [more than twice]. Feel free to annotate, that is mark it up: underline, highlight, or make marginal notes of any of the language you feel is important to understanding the poem. Mark specifically any technical features you find in the poem; for instance , rhyme and meter. Then write an interpretation of the poem. Get as far as you can with the text. Do not ask for help from your siblings, parents or friends. Do not look for help from the internet. It is important that it is just you and your understanding of the text. Please use a dictionary, though, to look up any unfamiliar words or terms, such as dory, gunnel, George’s Bank, Elysian, etc.

Try to write 150-200 words this time.

Keep the following content standard in mind:

2.2 Write responses to literature:

a. Develop interpretations exhibiting careful reading, understanding, and insight.

b. Organize interpretations around several clear ideas, premises, or images from the

literary work.

The Flower Boat

The fisherman’s swapping a yarn for a yarn

Under the hand of the village barber,

And here in the angle of house and barn

His deep-sea dory has found a harbor.

At anchor she rides the sunny sod

As full to the gunnel with flowers a-growing

As ever she turned her home with cod

From George’s Bank when winds were blowing.

And I know from that Elysian freight

She will brave but once more the Atlantic weather,

When dory and fisherman sail by fate

To seek for the Happy Isles together.