In "The Silken Tent", Robert Frost uses an extended metaphor comparing a woman to a delicate tent surrounded by nature. This device explores the idea of freedom possessed by a woman in 1940s America, but also faces the restrictions and responsibilities of family and society. Say no to plagiarism Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned" Get an original essay Frost explores the importance of setting, focusing on scenes of nature to evoke connotations of an ethereal and light atmosphere surrounding the tent: 'She is as in a field a silk tent At noon when a sunny breeze. summer...'[1] The 'silk curtain' suggests softness and sensuality, which contrasts with the extremely banal environment: "a field", which presents a mixture of practicality and openness : “noon”, a time when the sun would be highest in the sky, naturally the time frame gives a warm and comforting feeling not only to the character but also to the reader. Additionally, the alliteration of “sunny summer” accentuates a song-like rhythm that helps create a light atmosphere, a continued mood in the “safety of the soul.” The theme of position carries forward a further message regarding the position of women in society: "And her central cedar pole of support, that is her pinnacle to the sky"[2]. The suggestion of a "climax to heaven" presents the idea that a woman has an ethereal, almost angelic status; Frost's entire description focuses on the positive aspects of women, perhaps showing the idealistic image society has. Furthermore, such descriptions may further suggest that, although a woman does not necessarily turn to God, women are expected to seek guidance from an authority figure, perhaps a father or husband. Frost's use of natural imagery continues: "central cedar pole" to suggest that this woman is strong-willed or, in a more literal sense, could support the branches of society as a tree trunk would support its branches. A sense of freedom informs the entire poem, as reflected in structure and form: "But tightly held by none, is loosely bound By countless silken ties of love and thought."[1] Lack of restraint: "Tightly held by anyone" suggests that this entity cannot be fully controlled in marriage or in life; rather, such an entity remains a free spirit and, in turn, chooses to give "love and thought" to others. The adverb “freely” suggests that although the bonds hold her back, they are a gentle reminder and have no restrictive element. This freedom is reflected in the enjambement and missing points, giving the poem free and endless movement. Literary scholar Mordecai Marcus argued that "Tension represents tensions in relationships, and the lightness of bondage shows that the woman's tender devotion responds not to compulsion but to loving necessity."[2] This is seen through the ending, when lightness the lack of freedom becomes evident: “slavery” evokes images of captivity and slavery, even if the extremity is attenuated by the adjective “light”. Furthermore, the repetition of "silk ties" gives the sonnet a circular structure, reflecting that a woman's duties are never finished. However, a woman's role is still represented positively through the metaphysical aspect "ties of love and thought", suggesting the qualities that a woman can bestow on others and her ties to family, a husband or even "With all that that exists on earth." Furthermore, the sense of freedom is amplified by the simple.