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Robert Frost - Design

I found a dimpled spider, fat and white,
On a white heal-all, holding up a moth
Like a white piece of rigid satin cloth --
Assorted characters of death and blight
Mixed ready to begin the morning right,
Like the ingredients of a witches' broth --
A snow-drop spider, a flower like a froth,
And dead wings carried like a paper kite.

What had that flower to do with being white,
The wayside blue and innocent heal-all?
What brought the kindred spider to that height,
Then steered the white moth thither in the night?
What but design of darkness to appall?--
If design govern in a thing so small.

Added: on September 28th, 2009 at 1:29 AM | Viewed: 41258 times | Comments and analysis of Design by Robert Frost Comments (29)


Design - Comments and Information

Poet: Robert Frost (Robert Frost Art)
Poem: Design
Volume: A Further Range
Year: Published/Written in 1936
Poem of the Day: Sep 14 2006

Comment 29 of 29, added on November 15th, 2009 at 10:44 PM.
Frost's "Design"

The piece is a commentary on "design" arguments for the existence of God. The argument proceeds simply as follows: Nature reveals a design so precise that a designer of that nature must exist, i.e., God. The poem's response: one being's design for good is another's design for evil. What works for the spider is a disaster for the moth...thus, the "God" that is argued for depends on t e perspective, whether the design enhances or collapses life.

Keith from United States
Comment 28 of 29, added on November 4th, 2009 at 4:54 AM.

i am an iranian sophomore english student and i have to give a lecture on this poem.i am really confused cos i cant understan it completely.


mohammad from Iran
Comment 27 of 29, added on September 28th, 2009 at 1:29 AM.

i think this poem is great! It makes one think of the 'design' of life and death. Maybe death is actually perfect its own way..

Adam from United States

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