The Mending Wall by Robert Frost Essay Example for Free

The Mending Wall by Robert Frost Essay This phrase was first used in 1914 in a poem called The Mending Wall by Robert Frost. This paradox has become a proverb which essentially means that â€Å"People live more harmoniously when there are clear boundaries between their properties and lives†. There are, however, many different opinions on the truth of this proverb. Does separation and the creation of boundaries really keep the peace and make people better neighbours or do the boundaries we place between ourselves push us further apart? When looking at this proverb in a literal sense, it is important to realise that there are many examples where walls have severed ties between people and created unrest instead of harmony. An example of this is the Berlin Wall. It was originally constructed in order to separate the areas of Germany which had different political orientations. The people who were responsible for the building of the wall believed that creating a boundary between groups of people with different political beliefs would keep the peace. This, however, was not the case. At least 137 people died because of the violence that this divide created and when the wall came down the country united as one. In this case good fences most certainly did not create good neighbours. They created unhappiness, unrest and even death. Boundaries can cause unhappiness but they can create peace and order. Frost himself even says that walls are necessary when keeping livestock as this eliminates the potential for arguments over which animal belongs to which man. In an even more literal sense I believe the walls we build between our houses and, therefore, our neighbours make us ourselves into better neighbours. Because we are then no longer living â€Å"in each other’s pockets†, we manage to allow each other privacy but strive to be welcoming if needs be. I believe that these walls then provide each neighbour with enough space to live their lives independently but still retain the ability to make contact if it is needed. Walls don’t only have to be physical objects they can also be figurative. For example I believe there is very little tension between members of my family as we respect very distinct boundaries. We give each other space when we’re upset and try not to pry into each others lives unless the people involved ask us to. For us this works very well as we rarely get frustrated with one another. The metaphorical walls people build can also have negative effects, keeping them from forming relationships with people. This then isolates them, these walls make them much worse neighbours. And as a saying goes â€Å"People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges†. There are many conflicting opinions on the necessity of walls and whether they make good neighbours. In my opinion they do not. I don’t believe it is a wall or a boundary that will make you a good neighbour or not. I believe you are a good neighbour only if you are a good person.