Acknowledgement Robert Frost is not only a leading poet of America but also one of the greatest poets of the world whom I have marked as a pragmatic man on the social, political and literary horizon. He was an American poet, but his poetical works were published in England before there were published in America. He was a poet of America, but his poetry has been being read in the world. He was well-experienced, well-travelled person and learned scholar. Therefore, he became a teacher and preacher of human life. His depiction of rural life and colloquial speech shows him a man with manhood. It is for this reason that he is highly regarded for his incredible contribution in the field of literature, society and politics. Frost s poetical works particularly Stopping by Woods on Snowy Evening and Mending Wall were engraved in my heart and mind. I enjoyed his entire poetical works, neither for the sake of entertainment, nor for learning but for the sake of germination and manifestation of human values vested in me. I would like to say that neither time, nor distance, nor sorrow, nor age, nor any literary giant can ever blot his name earned because of the poems. He is a great poet of man of all ages, of all claims, of all senses, and of all stages of existence of human values. In real sense of the word, some lines from Frost s poetical works haunt me, and cause me to choose Robert Frost as my
favourite poet in the realm of pragmatic philosophy. When he speaks in Stopping by Woods on Snowy Evening - Woods are lovely, dark and deep But I have promises to keep And miles to go before I sleep And miles to go before I sleep I can t help becoming slave to this famous pronouncement. He then muses on in the poem Mending Wall - good fences make good neighbor melts me away. He reminds human limitations on the earth. It leaves indelible impression both on the mind and the heart. His other poetical works are replete with sermons, proverbs, maxims and pragmatic thoughts. These are the literary jewels that have shone, and will be shining on the fore finger of father time. It is not Frost s erudition or pedantic knowledge but his deep reflection on pragmatic philosophy that inspired me to discover pragmatism in his poetical works. It is Robert Frost who has tried to depict a real world of thoughts which a man s life can be perceived. I have carefully gone through his poetical works and met all the conditions there in; that all the pragmatic ideas and values discovered by me in the thesis entitled Robert Frost s Response to Pragmatic Philosophy: A Study of His Poetry are every inch relevant to the best of my knowledge and nothing has been left Robert Frost in the realm of pragmatic philosophy. The beads of pragmatic thoughts of the poet in his poetry were scattered. I have done nothing but groped and
picked up them. I have tried to interweave them into the rosary of pragmatic philosophy. I have divided my thesis into seven chapters on the basis of his poetical background and critical analysis of the poetry that will be useful to the readers. Chapter I: The first chapter, Introduction: Frost s Life Sketch deals with the brief biographical account of the poet, and flowering of Frost s poetic career. It offers a survey of contemporary literary personalities and their formative influence on the poet. It also deals with all those factors which have been related to Frost s triumphs and troubles. This chapter particularly covers his all the poetic creation and especially pragmatic philosophy and its historical perspective. Chapter II: The second chapter, pragmatic philosophy: theoretical considerations deals with the theory of experience, the concept of truth and reality, the representative theory of knowledge, morality in a new light, an observation of religion and faith and a review of social, political and ethical concepts. Chapter III: The third chapter deals with Frost s idealistic views: pragmatic reflections which contain his subjective statement, the refinement of optimistic views, the wings of metaphysical
speculation, his aesthetic beliefs, an estimate of spirituality and the concept of duty. Chapter IV: The forth chapter of this thesis is society and world affairs: pragmatic wisdom, deals with the educational views, making of social values, cultural aspects, class conflict, feminine discourse and political and national attitude. Chapter V: The fifth chapter of this thesis discusses about delineation of nature: a pragmatic overview of landscape. It contains tranquil and crucial moments, rural and urban scenes, bright and dark aspects, benevolent and hostile force, credible and uncertain elements, felicitous and calamitous sense. Chapter VI: The sixth chapter is fundamental verities of life: Frost s pragmatic vision deals with the skills in communication, acquisition and learning, province and responsibility, over delight and pleasure, extreme sorrow and grief, dread and apprehension. Chapter VII: Conclusion is important in the sense that contents of the poetry of Robert Frost are based largely on philosophical values
in respect of pragmatism. Frost s poetry is a river of pragmatic philosophy that flows majestically through the plains of the hearts of the readers. It also deals with a comparative study of pragmatic philosophy, poet s message, and his place and position among pragmatic philosophers. Finally, the whole poetry of Robert Frost constitutes an ocean of pragmatic philosophy in the thesis entitled Robert Frost s Response to Pragmatic Philosophy: A Study of His Poetry In completing the research work I got some valuable suggestions from my well-wishers. It is my moral duty to express gratitude to them. Before mentioning their names, I would like to mention what I was, what I am and how achieved my goal. Born and brought up in a house of poor landless labour parents. I had never had a hope of such a kind co-operation and commiseration as was given to me. The first of all, I would like to express greatly gratitude to unseen creator who has sent me as a human being in such a nice family whose every member particularly my mother Smt. Kesher Devi, a replica of inexhaustible love and infinite affection, has been making a shower of blessings and boons on me. My father, Late Shri Ramdayal ji Jatav whose devotion and duty will always be memorable in my entire life. My elder brothers Shri Patiram (I.T.B.P.)and Malkhan Singh (I.T.B.P.) played a role that is no
less than a father. My younger sister Girija shared the troubles and pains of my family. They never cared for their own life. Here, I would also like to offer the flowers of my heart to my grandfather Late Shri Munshi Lal Ji and my grandmother Late Smt. Durgo Devi, paragon of virtues and adventure, ever loved and guided me. My sweet beloved wife Smt. Geeta Jatav, a facsimile of love and leniency, my son and daughter, niece and nephews Mr. Ashish Kumar, Miss Ruby Singh, Miss Neha Singh, Miss Niharika Singh, Mr. Hitansh, Miss Sonia Singh, Miss Priyanka Singh, Mr. Néeraj, and Mr. Deepak, all are the symbols of courage and love, have been encouraging me to reach my target. When it comes to a supervisor or a guide I forget everything and everyone. One and only ravishing my right reverend Dr. M. S. Rathore, whose glorious guidance guided not only me but also various other students, comes over my lips and tips. I owe my total success either in this thesis or in any other part of my life to Dr. M. S. Rathore, a symbol of devotion and duty. He is a unique blend of humanity and humility. Of course he is an oceanic of knowledge etiquette. His oceanic knowledge enabled me to have million think. My parents begot me, bred me and did everything to me but Dr. M. S. Rathore, an amiable and humoured personality made me a real man. His dazzling and towering personality
unlocked my heart and head in every possible manner in all walks of life. He is real ideal of a teacher. He is every inch a man of practicality. I was inspired to choose my thesis entitled Robert Frost s Response to Pragmatic Philosophy: A Study of His Poetry I am highly thankful to primary teacher honourable Shri R. D. Karoriya, a helpful teacher whose help caused me to continue my school and even college education. I am highly thankful and deeply grateful to my respected and venerable Dr. Archana Agrawal, Professor & Head of the department of English, M.L.B. Govt. College of Excellence, Gwalior (M. P.) and Chairman Board of Study, Jiwaji University Gwalior. She has rendered indispensable suggestions whenever I needed during my research work. I also would like to thank to honourable Dr. P. D. Dubey, Librarian, M.L.B. Govt. College of Excellence, Gwalior (M. P.), Dr. S. L. Nirmal, Librarian, Govt. P.G. College Shivpuri who have helped me, whenever I visited the library to collect study material. I am inwardly indebted and cordially obliged to respected Dr. Alka Singh, Professor & Head, department of English, Govt. P.G. College Shivpuri, Dr. Rajeev Dubey, Asst. Professor (English), Govt. Degree College Narwar, Dr. R.R. Dhaker (Ph. D. in English), A senior teacher, Govt. H.S.School for
Excellence No. 1 Shivpuri who have rendered indispensable suggestions and made my way clear to reach my goal. Whenever I met them in department or at home, enhanced my confidence. I would like to express my gratefulness to my colleagues and friends, Prof. Mahendra Kumar, Prof. Naval Kishore, Dr. Mohar Singh Hindoliya, Dr. Vikash, Dr. Rakesh Shakya, Prof. Puspendra Parsedia, Prof. S. K. Mourya and Prof. Bharat Singh Jayant who have always encouraged me in this way. Above all, I am extremely indebted to my all relatives and friends who have helped me directly or indirectly but could not mention their names here. At last, once more I thank to my parents and supervisor, Dr. M. S. Rathore who are more than God to me to know this world. Gulab Singh Jatav