North of Boston · Theme
Communication and Misunderstanding
How North of Boston develops Communication and Misunderstanding.
Many poems highlight failed or strained communication, such as in 'Home Burial,' where a couple cannot bridge their grief, and in 'The Code,' where a farmer's casual remark is misinterpreted as criticism.
Where it surfaces
- Mending Wall
The speaker and neighbor fail to truly communicate; the speaker's doubts are met only with a repeated proverb, showing a barrier in understanding between them.
- The Mountain
The conversation between the traveler and the farmer reveals gaps in knowledge and differing perspectives on the mountain's significance.
- A Hundred Collars
Magoon and Lafe struggle to connect across their differences in class and temperament, with Lafe's directness clashing with Magoon's reserve.
- Home Burial
The husband and wife fail to communicate their grief, leading to accusations and emotional distance.
- Blueberries
The speakers debate Loren's motives and the propriety of picking berries on Mortenson's land, revealing underlying social tensions.
- The Code
The farmer's innocent comment is misinterpreted by James, and the narrator's story illustrates how a command can be taken as a challenge, leading to violent retaliation.
- The Fear
The woman's fear and Joel's skepticism create a tense dialogue, and the eventual encounter with the stranger reveals a misunderstanding driven by fear.