The Line Gang

by Robert Frost

Directions: Read the following poem by Frost several times [more than twice]. Feel free to annotate it, 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 turn for help to the internet, except to look up unfamiliar words. Once again, it is important that you independently master this text.

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 Line-Gang

Here come the line-gang pioneering by.

They throw a forest down less cut than broken.

They plant dead trees for living, and the dead

They string together with a living thread.

They string an instrument against the sky

Wherein words whether beaten out or spoken

Will run as hushed as when they were a thought.

But in no hush they string it: they go past

With shouts afar to pull the cable taut,

To hold it hard until they make it fast,

To ease away—they have it. With a laugh,

An oath of towns that set the wild at naught

They bring the telephone and telegraph.