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Robert Frost was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on March 26, 1874.
Answer: False
Explanation: The biographical data indicates Robert Frost was born in San Francisco, California, on March 26, 1874.
Robert Frost's father, William Prescott Frost Jr., worked as a journalist and editor.
Answer: True
Explanation: Robert Frost's father, William Prescott Frost Jr., was indeed a journalist and editor for the San Francisco Evening Bulletin.
Following his father's death, an 11-year-old Robert Frost moved with his mother and sister to Lawrence, Massachusetts.
Answer: True
Explanation: After his father's death in 1885, Robert Frost, then 11 years old, relocated with his mother and sister to Lawrence, Massachusetts, to live with his grandfather.
Robert Frost graduated from Lawrence High School as the sole valedictorian.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Robert Frost graduated from Lawrence High School and was a co-valedictorian with Elinor White, he was not the sole valedictorian.
Frost attended Dartmouth College for approximately two years but left before completing a degree.
Answer: False
Explanation: Frost attended Dartmouth College for only two months, not two years, before leaving without completing a degree.
Robert Frost voluntarily left Harvard University due to illness, without earning a degree.
Answer: True
Explanation: Robert Frost attended Harvard University from 1897 to 1899 but voluntarily departed without earning a degree due to illness.
According to the source, where and when was Robert Frost born?
Answer: San Francisco, California, on March 26, 1874
Explanation: The biographical data indicates Robert Frost was born in San Francisco, California, on March 26, 1874.
What was Robert Frost's father's profession?
Answer: Journalist and editor
Explanation: Robert Frost's father, William Prescott Frost Jr., worked as a journalist and editor for the San Francisco Evening Bulletin.
What significant event led to Robert Frost's move to Lawrence, Massachusetts, at age 11?
Answer: His father's death
Explanation: Following his father's death in 1885, an 11-year-old Robert Frost moved with his mother and sister to Lawrence, Massachusetts, under the care of his grandfather.
Which of the following achievements did Robert Frost accomplish during his time at Lawrence High School?
Answer: He served as class poet and was a co-valedictorian.
Explanation: During his time at Lawrence High School, Robert Frost served as class poet and was a co-valedictorian alongside Elinor White.
What was Robert Frost's experience with higher education, specifically Harvard University?
Answer: He attended briefly but left without earning a degree due to illness.
Explanation: Robert Frost attended Harvard University from 1897 to 1899 but voluntarily departed without earning a degree due to illness.
Frost attempted farming in Derry, New Hampshire, for nine years, but the endeavor proved unsuccessful.
Answer: True
Explanation: Robert Frost's nine-year farming endeavor in Derry, New Hampshire, proved unsuccessful, although he produced a significant body of poetry during this period.
Robert Frost sold his first published poem, "My Butterfly. An Elegy," to a major literary journal for $100.
Answer: False
Explanation: Robert Frost received $15 for his first published poem, "My Butterfly. An Elegy," which was sold to The Independent magazine.
The move to Great Britain in 1912 was instrumental in the publication of Frost's first book of poetry, *A Boy's Will*.
Answer: True
Explanation: The move to Great Britain in 1912 was instrumental in the publication of Frost's first book of poetry, *A Boy's Will*, in 1913.
Robert Frost's first poetry collection, *A Boy's Will*, was published in the United States before his move to England.
Answer: False
Explanation: *A Boy's Will* was published in London in 1913, after Frost had moved to England, not before.
Upon returning to the U.S. in 1915, Frost bought a farm in Franconia, New Hampshire, which served as his primary residence.
Answer: False
Explanation: Upon returning to the U.S. in 1915, Frost bought a farm in Franconia, New Hampshire, but it primarily served as a summer home, not his primary residence.
Robert Frost taught English at Amherst College intermittently from 1917 until 1938.
Answer: True
Explanation: Robert Frost held intermittent teaching positions in English at Amherst College from 1917 to 1938.
Robert Frost authored several plays, including *A Masque of Reason* and *A Masque of Mercy*.
Answer: True
Explanation: In addition to his poetry, Robert Frost authored several plays, notably *A Masque of Reason* and *A Masque of Mercy*.
The Robert Frost Farm in Derry, New Hampshire, is recognized for its role in his early writing career.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Robert Frost Farm in Derry, New Hampshire, is historically significant as the site where Frost resided and composed many of his seminal early poems, such as "Mending Wall."
What was the outcome of Robert Frost's attempt at farming in Derry, New Hampshire?
Answer: It was ultimately unsuccessful, despite writing many poems during that time.
Explanation: Robert Frost's nine-year farming endeavor in Derry, New Hampshire, proved unsuccessful, although he produced a significant body of poetry during this period.
How much did Robert Frost receive for his first published poem, "My Butterfly. An Elegy"?
Answer: $15
Explanation: Robert Frost received $15 for his first published poem, "My Butterfly. An Elegy," which was sold to The Independent magazine.
What was the primary consequence of Robert Frost's move to Great Britain in 1912?
Answer: He published his first book of poetry, *A Boy's Will*.
Explanation: The move to Great Britain in 1912 was instrumental in the publication of Frost's first book of poetry, *A Boy's Will*, in 1913.
Which of the following poetry collections was published during Robert Frost's time in England?
Answer: *North of Boston*
Explanation: During his stay in England, Robert Frost published *A Boy's Will* (1913) and *North of Boston* (1914).
After returning to the U.S. in 1915, where did Frost spend nearly every summer teaching?
Answer: Middlebury College (Bread Loaf School of English)
Explanation: Upon returning to the U.S. in 1915, Frost spent nearly every summer teaching at the Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury College in Vermont from 1921 to 1962.
What is the significance of the Robert Frost Farm in Derry, New Hampshire?
Answer: It's where he lived and wrote many of his early poems.
Explanation: The Robert Frost Farm in Derry, New Hampshire, is historically significant as the site where Frost resided and composed many of his seminal early poems, such as "Mending Wall."
Frost's concept of "the sound of sense" emphasized the importance of capturing the natural rhythms of spoken English.
Answer: True
Explanation: Frost used the term "the sound of sense" to describe his approach to language in poetry, emphasizing the importance of capturing the natural rhythms and intonations of spoken English.
Robert Frost believed that adhering to traditional poetic forms was like "playing tennis with the net down."
Answer: False
Explanation: Frost famously stated that adhering to traditional poetic forms was akin to 'playing tennis without a net,' implying that constraints focused the creative effort.
Common themes in Frost's poetry include existential questions, the darker aspects of rural life, and human reactions to nature.
Answer: True
Explanation: Frost's poetry frequently explores existential questions, the darker aspects of rural life, and human reactions to nature, among other profound themes.
Frost believed that for a poem to be effective, the writer should be overly sentimental to evoke emotion in the reader.
Answer: False
Explanation: Frost's philosophy suggested that effective poetry arises from genuine revelation, not overt sentimentality. He famously stated, "No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader."
Robert Frost believed the purpose of poetry was primarily to adhere strictly to classical meter and rhyme schemes.
Answer: False
Explanation: Frost believed that self-imposed restrictions of meter and form were helpful constraints that allowed him to focus on content, rather than adhering strictly to classical forms being the primary purpose.
Robert Frost's poetry is often seen as bridging the gap between 19th-century traditions and modernism.
Answer: True
Explanation: Frost's work is characterized by its position at the intersection of 19th-century poetic traditions and modernism, utilizing traditional forms with idiomatic language.
Frost famously compared writing poetry in free verse to "playing tennis without a net."
Answer: True
Explanation: Frost utilized this analogy to express his view that traditional forms provided necessary constraints, likening free verse to 'playing tennis without a net'.
Robert Frost's concept of "the sound of sense" primarily refers to:
Answer: Capturing the natural cadences and intonations of spoken English.
Explanation: Frost's concept of "the sound of sense" emphasized the importance of capturing the natural rhythms and intonations of spoken English in poetry.
How did Frost view the use of traditional poetic forms?
Answer: As a helpful constraint that focused attention on content.
Explanation: Frost viewed traditional poetic forms not as restrictive but as helpful constraints that allowed him to focus more intently on the poem's content, likening free verse to 'playing tennis without a net'.
Which of the following is NOT listed as a common theme in Robert Frost's poetry?
Answer: Celebrations of industrial progress
Explanation: While Frost's poetry frequently explores existential questions, the darker aspects of rural life, and human reactions to nature, it does not typically focus on celebrations of industrial progress.
According to the source, what did Robert Frost believe about the role of surprise in poetry?
Answer: Poetry should contain surprise for both the writer and the reader.
Explanation: Frost articulated that poetry should offer surprise, describing it as 'the surprise of remembering something I didn't know I knew,' emphasizing its revelatory capacity for both creator and audience.
What did Robert Frost believe about the use of meter and form in poetry?
Answer: Self-imposed restrictions helped poets focus on content.
Explanation: Frost believed that self-imposed restrictions of meter and form were helpful constraints that allowed him to focus on content, rather than adhering strictly to classical forms being the primary purpose.
At President John F. Kennedy's inauguration in 1961, Robert Frost recited a poem he had prepared specifically for the occasion.
Answer: False
Explanation: Due to the bright sunlight, Robert Frost was unable to read his prepared poem, "Dedication," at President John F. Kennedy's inauguration and instead recited "The Gift Outright" from memory.
Robert Frost won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry three times.
Answer: False
Explanation: Robert Frost won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry a record four times.
Frost was appointed United States Poet Laureate in 1958 and received the Congressional Gold Medal in 1960.
Answer: True
Explanation: Frost was appointed United States Poet Laureate in 1958 and received the Congressional Gold Medal in 1960, recognizing his significant contributions.
Robert Frost received 31 nominations for the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Answer: True
Explanation: Robert Frost received 31 nominations for the Nobel Prize in Literature during his lifetime.
What unexpected event occurred during Robert Frost's reading at John F. Kennedy's inauguration?
Answer: He read a different poem than the one prepared due to sunlight.
Explanation: Due to the bright sunlight, Robert Frost was unable to read his prepared poem, "Dedication," at President John F. Kennedy's inauguration and instead recited "The Gift Outright" from memory.
How many times did Robert Frost win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry?
Answer: Four times
Explanation: Robert Frost received the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry a record four times, for *New Hampshire* (1924), *Collected Poems* (1931), *A Further Range* (1937), and *A Witness Tree* (1942).
Besides the Pulitzer Prizes, what significant national honor did Robert Frost receive in 1960?
Answer: Congressional Gold Medal
Explanation: In 1960, Robert Frost was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by the United States Congress in recognition of his poetry's contribution to American culture and global philosophy.
How many nominations for the Nobel Prize in Literature did Robert Frost receive?
Answer: 31
Explanation: Robert Frost received 31 nominations for the Nobel Prize in Literature during his lifetime.
Robert Frost married Elinor Miriam White in 1895 after proposing to her only once.
Answer: False
Explanation: Robert Frost married Elinor Miriam White in 1895, but he proposed to her twice, not just once.
Robert Frost's personal life was largely free from tragedy and loss.
Answer: False
Explanation: Robert Frost's personal life was marked by significant tragedy, including the early deaths of his parents and two of his six children, as well as his wife's struggles with depression.
Both Robert Frost and his mother experienced bouts of depression.
Answer: True
Explanation: Both Robert Frost and his mother experienced bouts of depression, and other family members also faced mental health challenges.
Robert Frost had six children, and all of them survived him.
Answer: False
Explanation: Robert Frost had six children, but only two of them, Lesley and Elinor Bettina, survived him.
Elinor Frost died in 1938 from complications related to breast cancer.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Elinor Frost was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1937, the source indicates she died in 1938 from heart failure.
Robert Frost named his Florida property "Pencil Pines" because he enjoyed gardening there.
Answer: False
Explanation: Robert Frost named his Florida property "Pencil Pines" because he stated he had never earned income from any endeavor that did not involve the use of a pencil, signifying his dedication to writing.
When did Robert Frost marry Elinor Miriam White?
Answer: 1895
Explanation: Robert Frost married Elinor Miriam White on December 19, 1895.
Which of the following personal tragedies did Robert Frost experience?
Answer: The early deaths of his parents and two children
Explanation: Robert Frost experienced profound personal tragedies, including the early deaths of his parents and two of his six children, as well as his wife's struggles with depression.
What mental health challenges were noted in Robert Frost's family?
Answer: His mother, sister, and daughter Irma were institutionalized or faced depression.
Explanation: Both Robert Frost and his mother experienced bouts of depression. His sister Jeanie was institutionalized, as was his daughter Irma, indicating a familial history of mental health challenges.
How many of Robert Frost's six children survived him?
Answer: Two
Explanation: Robert Frost had six children, but only two of them, Lesley and Elinor Bettina, survived him.
What was the primary cause of Elinor Frost's death in 1938?
Answer: Heart failure
Explanation: Elinor Frost died in 1938 from heart failure, following a diagnosis of breast cancer in 1937.
What did Robert Frost say motivated his naming of the Florida property "Pencil Pines"?
Answer: He had never earned money from anything not involving a pencil (writing).
Explanation: Robert Frost named his Florida property "Pencil Pines" based on his assertion that he had never earned income from any endeavor that did not involve the use of a pencil, signifying his dedication to writing.
Robert Frost's epitaph, "I had a lover's quarrel with the world," is taken from his poem "The Gift Outright."
Answer: False
Explanation: Robert Frost's epitaph, "I had a lover's quarrel with the world," is taken from his poem "The Lesson for Today," not "The Gift Outright."
Critics like Randall Jarrell praised Frost for his deep knowledge of people and masterful use of colloquial speech.
Answer: True
Explanation: Randall Jarrell praised Frost's deep knowledge of people and his masterful use of colloquial speech, defending him against accusations of being too traditional.
Harold Bloom considered Robert Frost to be one of the "minor American poets."
Answer: False
Explanation: Harold Bloom recognized Robert Frost as one of the "major American poets," not a minor one.
Major collections of Robert Frost's papers are held at Harvard University and Yale University.
Answer: False
Explanation: Major collections of Robert Frost's papers are held at institutions such as the Jones Library in Amherst, Amherst College, the University of Michigan Library, and Dartmouth College Library, not specifically Harvard or Yale according to the source.
Ezra Pound was an early supporter of Frost's work but later had a contentious relationship with him.
Answer: True
Explanation: Ezra Pound was an early supporter of Frost's work, but Frost later resented Pound's attempts to influence his poetic style, leading to a strained relationship.
Randall Jarrell identified "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" as a masterful Frost poem.
Answer: True
Explanation: Randall Jarrell cited "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" among several Frost poems he identified as particularly masterful.
The epitaph on Robert Frost's tombstone reads, "The world is too much with us."
Answer: False
Explanation: The epitaph on Robert Frost's tombstone reads, "I had a lover's quarrel with the world," not "The world is too much with us."
What is the meaning conveyed by Robert Frost's epitaph, "I had a lover's quarrel with the world"?
Answer: He had a complex relationship with the world, involving both affection and conflict.
Explanation: The epitaph "I had a lover's quarrel with the world" suggests a complex, often contentious, yet deeply engaged relationship with life and society, reflecting both affection and struggle.
Which aspect of Frost's poetry did critic Randall Jarrell particularly praise?
Answer: His deep knowledge of people and use of colloquial speech
Explanation: Randall Jarrell praised Frost's deep knowledge of people and his masterful use of colloquial speech, defending him against accusations of being too traditional.
What did Harold Bloom recognize Robert Frost as?
Answer: One of the "major American poets"
Explanation: Harold Bloom recognized Robert Frost as one of the "major American poets," highlighting his significant place in American literary history.
What did critic T. K. Whipple emphasize about Frost's work, particularly *North of Boston*?
Answer: Its emphasis on the bleakness and potential madness in rural New England life.
Explanation: Critic T. K. Whipple highlighted the pervasive bleakness in Frost's work, particularly in *North of Boston*, noting its exploration of the potential for madness within the context of rural New England life.
What did Harriet Monroe note about Frost's narrative poems?
Answer: They possessed a "sympathetic humor."
Explanation: Harriet Monroe observed that Frost's narrative poems often contained a 'sympathetic humor,' reflecting her appreciation for the nuanced character portrayals and tone in his work.
How did Charles McGrath describe the shift in critical views of Robert Frost over time?
Answer: From folk poet to a more complex, sometimes 'nastier' figure, then reappraised as a modernist.
Explanation: Charles McGrath characterized the evolution of critical perspectives on Frost, noting a transition from viewing him as a simple folk poet to recognizing a more complex, occasionally 'nastier' persona, and ultimately reappraising him as a modernist.
Robert Frost traveled to the Soviet Union in 1962 to meet with Nikita Khrushchev and advocate for peaceful relations.
Answer: True
Explanation: In the summer of 1962, Frost accompanied Interior Secretary Stewart Udall on a trip to the Soviet Union with the objective of meeting Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev to promote peaceful relations.
Edward Thomas, a friend and fellow poet, inspired Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken."
Answer: True
Explanation: Edward Thomas, a poet and friend of Frost, was a significant acquaintance and inspiration for Robert Frost, specifically influencing "The Road Not Taken."
Robert Frost's poem "Fire and Ice" influenced the title of George R. R. Martin's series *A Game of Thrones*.
Answer: False
Explanation: Robert Frost's poem "Fire and Ice" influenced the title and thematic elements of George R. R. Martin's series *A Song of Ice and Fire*, not *A Game of Thrones*.
The poem "Nothing Gold Can Stay" was featured in S. E. Hinton's novel *The Outsiders*.
Answer: True
Explanation: The poem "Nothing Gold Can Stay" was prominently featured in S. E. Hinton's novel *The Outsiders*, recited by characters Ponyboy and Johnny.
The 1963 documentary about Robert Frost was titled *Robert Frost: A Lover's Quarrel with the World*.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 1963 documentary about Robert Frost was indeed titled *Robert Frost: A Lover's Quarrel with the World*.
What was the stated objective of Robert Frost's trip to the Soviet Union in 1962?
Answer: To promote peaceful relations between the U.S. and the USSR.
Explanation: In 1962, Frost accompanied Interior Secretary Stewart Udall on a trip to the Soviet Union with the objective of meeting Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev to promote peaceful relations between the United States and the USSR.
Robert Frost's poem "Nothing Gold Can Stay" was notably featured in which popular culture work?
Answer: The novel *The Outsiders*
Explanation: The poem "Nothing Gold Can Stay" was prominently featured in S. E. Hinton's novel *The Outsiders*, recited by characters Ponyboy and Johnny.
What literary work by Stephenie Meyer uses Robert Frost's poem "Fire and Ice" as its epigraph?
Answer: Eclipse
Explanation: Stephenie Meyer's novel *Eclipse*, part of the *Twilight* Saga, utilizes Robert Frost's poem "Fire and Ice" as its epigraph, demonstrating the poem's resonance in contemporary popular culture.