Topic > Robert Frost and Ted Hughes: Journeys in "Out, Out", "Daffodils" and "Red"

By embracing the concept of travel, we often reach our destination with a greater understanding of ourselves and our surroundings. After carefully examining the concept of travel, it became apparent that our lives can be quite temperamental, so it is crucial to value the insignificant things in life that we often take for granted. In "Birthday Letters" Ted Hughes illustrates how unpredictable, erratic and fluctuating travel can be. Robert Frost supports this perception and expresses the meaninglessness of life in his poem "Out, Out". Both texts showed me how unpredictable and unexpected travel can be. Appreciating and being grateful for the little things in life will be a good omen for us. This is expressed in Ted Hughes' poems "Daffodils" and "Red" where he symbolically describes the emotional journey that was his marriage to Plath. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayThe inclusive language at the beginning of Hughes's first poem "Do you remember how we gathered the daffodils?" shows how Hughes fondly recalls memories of the loving beginning of their marriage and strengthens the bond they once shared. However, the language of the text suddenly changes tone: "He can't even remember you." This offensive language, combined with the shift to the second person, contrasts effectively with the beginning of the poem and represents the problems they had with Plath's mental illness and ultimately the ruin of their marriage. In the poem Hughes refers to the daffodils as if they are struggling and suffering, this is a reason for their relationship. He personifies daffodils to create a feeling of unease and instability "amidst the hushed cries –/ Of their boyish ball gowns – / Newly opened dragonflies." From this the audience can recognize that Hughes is uncertain and worried about the bond between him and Plath. This culminates in the realization that her marriage, like the flowers, "opened too soon", expressing her regret at having lost the passion and warmth once felt in their relationship. Hughes shows how travel can often be unpredictable and fluctuating, so it is important to appreciate the joyful moments when they arise to avoid experiencing the heartache that Hughes felt. The tragic end of their relationship and Plath's debilitating mental illness are further conveyed in the final poem of 'Birthday Letters', “Red”. Hughes uses strong descriptive language to metaphorically enclose Plath in the color red, “But red/ That was what you wrapped around yourself.” Hughes uses this color symbolism to represent his self-induced suffering and to show his animosity towards Plath. In the final message of the poem we are introduced to a new color as Hughes uses a metaphor to represent Plath's motherhood and kindness with blue. “But the Jewel You Lost Was Blue,” Although Hughes displays the qualities of Plath that attracted him, his bitterness is still evident and the audience is once again presented with his disappointment that Plath has failed to overcome her illness not even with the help of motherhood, who let go of her jewel and consequently lost herself. Hughes illustrates his mistakes in taking the happiness of his marriage for granted and gives us the lesson on how to appreciate the little things in life. Therefore, the poem reinforces to the audience that the journeys always continue, as we regularly have the desire to relive past experiences that we constantly long for. Ultimately, Hughes shows that travel allows us not only to understand the events of our own.