Chapter 5: A Roadside Stand – Class 12 English Flamingo NCERT Solutions
Poem 5 – A Roadside Stand
Poet: Robert Frost
Book: Flamingo (Class 12 English – CBSE)
Type: Narrative Poem
Theme: Social Injustice, Poverty, Rural Life, Isolation
Summary of A Roadside Stand
In A Roadside Stand, Robert Frost reflects on the plight of rural farmers and their struggle for a better life in a world dominated by urbanization and industrialization. The poem portrays a roadside stand set up by poor rural people who wish to sell their handicrafts and produce to passing city folk. The stand, however, becomes a symbol of isolation and neglect, as the rural people are ignored and exploited by those who pass by.
The poet introduces a contrast between the simple life of rural farmers and the fast-paced, indifferent world of the city dwellers. While the rural folk aim to sell their products in exchange for a little more income, the city dwellers, who pass by without any intention of stopping, are indifferent to the struggles of the farmers. Frost emphasizes the emotional pain of the rural people, whose hopes for recognition and financial stability are dashed by the lack of attention from those who live in the cities.
Through the poem, Frost comments on the growing divide between rural and urban life and critiques the apathy of city dwellers towards the hardships faced by the rural poor. The poem also alludes to the sense of isolation and exploitation that many rural people experience.
Central Ideas of the Poem
Poverty and Exploitation: The poem presents the stark reality of rural poverty, where people struggle to make ends meet, often ignored by urban society.
Indifference of Urban Life: Frost highlights the contrast between the rural folk’s struggle and the indifferent, fast-paced urban lifestyle, which is detached from the realities of rural life.
Isolation and Neglect: The roadside stand symbolizes isolation, with the farmers’ hopes and dreams ignored by the indifferent urban passersby.
Disillusionment and Hopelessness: The rural farmers, who initially have hope of receiving some recognition or help, are ultimately left disillusioned by the indifference shown to their plight.
Social Critique: Frost critiques the inequality between rural and urban life, highlighting the exploitation and neglect faced by the farmers.
Stanza-wise Explanation
Stanza 1:
In the first stanza, the poet describes a roadside stand where the rural people set up to sell their products, hoping that city folk traveling through will stop and buy something. The stand represents their only chance to earn a little extra money.
Stanza 2:
Frost describes how the stand is ignored by the city people. They pass by quickly, uninterested in the goods or the hardships of the farmers. The poet highlights the emotional pain of the rural folk, whose hopes for a better life are crushed by this neglect.
Stanza 3:
The poet further criticizes the city dwellers, who view the roadside stand as an inconvenience and a nuisance. They have no interest in the struggles of the farmers and are blind to the rural people’s desire for recognition and financial relief.
Stanza 4:
Frost alludes to the sense of isolation felt by the farmers, who are caught between the rural world and the indifferent urban world. They are isolated in their struggles, unable to break free from the cycle of poverty and neglect.
Stanza 5:
In the final stanza, Frost contrasts the rural people’s dreams with the harsh reality of their situation. The farmers are left hopeless, their dreams of a better life dashed by the cruel indifference of the urban world.
Literary Devices Used
| Device | Example | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Imagery | “The sun’s eye on the flowers and the grass” | Creates vivid mental images that enhance the emotional impact of the poem. |
| Alliteration | “Some of the money, some of the time” | Adds rhythm and musicality to the poem. |
| Personification | “The street was loud with the sound of the voices” | Gives human qualities to non-human elements, making the setting feel more alive and energetic. |
| Metaphor | “The roadside stand is no more than a dream” | Compares the stand to a fleeting dream, symbolizing the farmers’ unfulfilled hopes. |
| Contrast | “A common sight on the roadsides of a town” | Highlights the difference between rural struggles and urban life. |
Important Questions and Answers
Q1. What is the main theme of A Roadside Stand?
Ans. The main theme of A Roadside Stand is the exploitation and neglect of rural people by urban society. The poem critiques the indifference of city dwellers towards the struggles of the poor rural folk and highlights the isolation and disillusionment of rural life.
Q2. What is the significance of the roadside stand in the poem?
Ans. The roadside stand symbolizes the hopes and aspirations of the rural people who try to sell their goods to passing city dwellers. It represents their struggle to earn a livelihood and gain some recognition, but it also stands as a symbol of their isolation and the indifference they face.
Q3. How do the urban people react to the roadside stand and the goods on sale?
Ans. The urban people react with indifference, passing by without stopping to purchase anything or acknowledging the efforts of the rural farmers. They view the roadside stand as an inconvenience and are uninterested in the struggles of the farmers.
Q4. What does Frost critique in A Roadside Stand?
Ans. Frost critiques the growing divide between rural and urban life. He highlights how urban people are detached from the realities of rural existence, ignoring the suffering of the farmers. The poem also critiques the lack of empathy and the exploitation of the rural poor.
Q5. What emotion does Frost convey through the roadside stand?
Ans. Frost conveys a sense of hopelessness, isolation, and disillusionment through the roadside stand. He highlights the emotional pain of the rural people who, despite their efforts, remain ignored and neglected by the urban world.
Exam Tips
Focus on the contrast between rural and urban life and how Frost uses the roadside stand to highlight the struggles of the rural poor.
Be prepared to discuss the emotional impact of the poem, especially the feelings of isolation and hopelessness experienced by the farmers.
Practice answering questions on social injustice and the disconnection between the two worlds presented in the poem.
Analyze the use of literary devices such as imagery, metaphors, and personification to enhance the meaning of the poem.
NCERT Solutions Class 12 English Flamingo Poem 5 A Roadside Stand
Before you Read
Have you ever stopped at a roadside stand? What have you observed there?
The poet suggests that when we come across something beautiful, even for a brief moment, it leaves a lasting impression on us. This fleeting encounter with beauty inspires us to carry hope and optimism in our lives, as the memory of that moment stays with us forever.
Think about it
1. The city folk who drove through the countryside hardly paid any heed to the roadside stand or to the people who ran it. If at all they did, it was to complain. Which lines bring this out? What was their complaint about?
“The polished traffic passed with a mind ahead,
Or if ever aside a moment, then out of sorts
At having the landscape marred with the artless paint
Of signs that with N turned wrong and S turned wrong”
These lines reflect the city folk’s disregard. Their complaint was that such roadside stalls, with their poorly painted signboards, spoiled the scenic beauty of the countryside.
2. What was the plea of the folk who had put up the roadside stand?
The rural folks pleaded for city dwellers to stop and buy something from their roadside stand. They had set up the stand with hope that passing traffic would notice their goods and provide them some income.
3. The government and other social service agencies appear to help the poor rural people, but actually do them no good. Pick out the words and phrases that the poet uses to show their double standards.
The poet uses strong phrases like “greedy good-doers” and “beneficent beasts of prey” to expose the hypocrisy of the so-called social reformers. They pretend to help but only serve their own interests. The poet says:
“…enforcing benefits that are calculated to soothe them out of their wits,
And by teaching them how to sleep they sleep all day,
Destroy their sleeping at night the ancient way.”
These lines reveal that their actions rob the rural poor of their peace and traditional way of life.
4. What is the ‘childish longing’ that the poet refers to? Why is it ‘vain’?
The ‘childish longing’ refers to the poor villagers’ hopeful expectation that city travelers will stop and buy their goods. It is ‘vain’ because their hope is rarely fulfilled—most travelers simply drive past without noticing or caring.
5. Which lines tell us about the insufferable pain that the poet feels at the thought of the plight of the rural poor?
The poet feels deep empathy for the rural people and expresses his pain in the following lines:
“Sometimes I feel myself I can hardly bear
The thought of so much childish longing in vain,
The sadness that lurks near the open window there,
That waits all day in almost open prayer.”