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Difficulty: MediumExtended Metaphors and Conceits

Read the following poem by Robert Frost carefully before choosing your answer:

She is as in a field a silken tent
At midday when a sunny summer breeze
Has dried the dew and all its ropes relent,
So that in guys it gently sways at ease,
And its supporting central cedar pole,
That is its pinnacle to heavenward
And signifies the sureness of the soul,
Seems to owe naught to any single cord,
But strictly held by none, is loose to all
Of ties of love and duty bondage-like,
Kept by a silky-gentle band in thrall
A pressure of she knows not what constraint,
And only by one going slightly taut
In the wind of havoc destined to be caught.

Which of the following best describes the primary function of the extended metaphor of the silken tent?

  1. A
    It documents the literal mechanics of tent assembly and the physical effects of summer weather on canvas and rope.
  2. B
    It reveals the poet's personal anxiety regarding his inability to support his family, as symbolized by the central cedar pole.
  3. It illustrates the delicate equilibrium between the woman's personal independence and the voluntary obligations that bind her to others.Answer
  4. D
    It emphasizes the physical instability of the tent, suggesting that the woman's emotional state is fragile and prone to collapse under stress.
  5. E
    It protests the oppressive and restrictive nature of marriage and social expectations that keep the woman captive.

Answer

The correct option is the one stating that the extended metaphor illustrates the delicate equilibrium between the woman's personal independence and the voluntary obligations that bind her to others.
The correct answer correctly identifies that the silken tent represents the woman's grace, where her internal strength (the central cedar pole) and her relationships (the ropes and cords) exist in a balanced state of freedom and voluntary connection. The ropes are 'loose to all / Of ties of love and duty,' showing they are not restrictive but supportive, only tightening in moments of crisis.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the vehicle and tenor of the extended metaphor.
The vehicle is a silken tent in a field, supported by a central pole and stabilized by ropes. The tenor is the woman's character, soul, and relationships.
Understanding the two parts of the comparison is essential to tracking how the metaphor functions throughout the entire poem.
2
Analyze the symbolic meaning of individual components of the conceit.
The central cedar pole represents the 'sureness of the soul' (inner strength), and the ropes/cords represent 'ties of love and duty' (relationships and commitments).
This shows how the physical properties of the tent correspond to spiritual and relational aspects of the woman's life.
3
Evaluate the thematic argument of the conceit based on tone and description.
The tent is described as swaying 'at ease' and held by a 'silky-gentle band,' indicating that her obligations are not oppressive but rather part of a harmonious balance that only experiences tension in times of 'havoc.'
This synthesizes the components of the metaphor into a coherent thematic interpretation, showing that the conceit describes a state of graceful, voluntary equilibrium.

Key Concept

Extended Metaphor and Conceit Analysis
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Topics

Extended Metaphors and Conceits

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