# Commerce vs. Authenticity in New Hampshire

> Theme guide for New Hampshire by Robert Frost.

The book contrasts the commercialism and 'selling' of other states with New Hampshire's pride in having nothing to sell, treating trade as a disgrace and valuing specimens over commodities.

## Where it surfaces

- [New Hampshire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/new_hampshire_se/chapters/new-hampshire): The poem contrasts the commercial boasting of outsiders with New Hampshire's pride in having nothing to sell, and criticizes the shame of trade through the old friend's story.
- [The Star-Splitter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/new_hampshire_se/chapters/the-star-splitter): Brad's insurance fraud and purchase of a telescope highlight the tension between material necessity and genuine curiosity.
- [The Axe-Helve](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/new_hampshire_se/chapters/the-axe-helve): Baptiste contrasts the inferior machine-made axe-helve with his own handcrafted, naturally grown hickory helve, emphasizing the value of authentic, artisanal work over commercial products.
- [A Brook in the City](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/new_hampshire_se/chapters/a-brook-in-the-city): The city's expansion and the brook's burial represent the triumph of commercial and industrial progress over authentic, natural experience, leaving only ancient maps as evidence of what was lost.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/new_hampshire_se/themes/commerce_and_authenticity
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/new_hampshire_se/themes