A Study of Communication Predicament in Robert Frost’s “Mending Wall”

Abstract

Employing Bakhtin’s Dialogism and Levinas’s philosophy of the Other, this thesis analyzes Robert Frost’s renowned poem “Mending Wall” through the lens of dialogue of consensus. While “Mending Wall” has been traditionally interpreted as a criticism of conservatism, this study moves beyond the subjective perspective of the speaker in the poem, providing a nuanced reading that transcends simplistic binary moral oppositions. The thesis reexamines the communication predicament between the speaker and his neighbor by expounding on “process of communication,” “reason of predicament,” and “consensus as implication” in a progressive manner. Through this exploration, the thesis uncovers the poet’s underlying intention of creating this predicament. The thesis primarily focuses on examining the transformation of communication, analyzing the unreliability of single narrative and unequal projection onto the Other, and underscoring the significance of consensus in facilitating effective communication. It argues that consensus should not be viewed as mechanized uniformity, but rather as a convergent process that allows for a multiplicity of perspectives.