Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Certainly! Here is a revised version of the essay integrating Randolph Silliman Bourne and the Seven Arts magazine:

---

Robert Frost's poem "The Seven Arts" offers a concise and sharp commentary on the relationship between art and politics. With just five lines, Frost captures a deep skepticism about the impact of politicizing art, suggesting that the purity and integrity of artistic expression are compromised when politics are involved. By integrating references to Randolph Silliman Bourne and the Seven Arts magazine, we can further enrich the context and understanding of Frost's critical perspective.

The poem opens with a grand and somewhat biblical tone, "In the Dawn of Creation that morning," setting the stage for a foundational moment. This phrase suggests an origin story or a moment of great importance, implying that the statement made next carries significant weight. In the realm of intellectual and artistic critique, Randolph Bourne was a prominent figure whose ideas influenced many. As a contributor to the Seven Arts magazine, Bourne advocated for the preservation of art's purity against the encroachment of political ideologies.

"I remember I gave you fair warning / The Arts are but Six!" Here, Frost positions himself as a sage or a prophet, someone with foresight and authority. The "Six" Arts he refers to are likely the traditional fine arts: painting, sculpture, literature, music, dance, and architecture. By asserting that "The Arts are but Six," Frost underscores the established, timeless nature of these disciplines. This assertion resonates with Bourne's belief in the intrinsic value of art as a vehicle for individual expression and cultural enrichment.

The poem takes a critical turn with the lines, "You add Politics / And the Seven will all die a-Bourneing." The clever wordplay here alludes to both the word "aborning," which means being born, and Randolph Bourne's last name, suggesting a doomed birth. This line implies that the infusion of politics into the arts, creating a supposed "Seventh Art," is a fatal error. Frost’s use of "a-Bourneing" acknowledges Bourne's intellectual legacy and his warnings about the dangers of political interference in the realm of art.

The Seven Arts magazine, where Bourne's ideas were prominently featured, was a short-lived but influential publication in the early 20th century. It aimed to promote artistic and cultural innovation while maintaining a critical stance against the commercialization and politicization of the arts. Frost's poem, by referencing this magazine and its ideals, aligns with Bourne's vision and critiques the detrimental effects of politicizing art. The magazine’s mission was to defend the autonomy of the arts and protect them from becoming mere tools of political propaganda or ideological conformity.

Frost's clever wordplay and concise phrasing deliver a powerful message: the infusion of politics into the realm of art leads to the degradation of both. Art, in its purest form, thrives on creativity, expression, and aesthetic values, while politics often involves manipulation, power struggles, and ideological battles. When politics infiltrate art, the resulting mix can corrupt the original purpose and essence of artistic endeavors. This perspective echoes Bourne's critiques in the pages of the Seven Arts, where he warned against the reduction of art to political instruments.

In conclusion, "The Seven Arts" by Robert Frost is a brief yet potent poem that critiques the intersection of art and politics. By integrating references to Randolph Silliman Bourne and the Seven Arts magazine, the poem’s message gains historical and intellectual depth. Through his sharp wit and economical use of language, Frost emphasizes the importance of keeping art free from political influence to preserve its true essence and value. The poem, enriched by Bourne’s legacy, serves as a timeless reminder of the potential dangers that arise when the purity of artistic expression is compromised by external forces.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...