A Roadside Stand is a social satire depicting the two contrasting orlds existing in society. Justify this statement with reference to the poem.

Question :A Roadside Stand is a social satire depicting the two contrasting orlds existing in society. Justify this statement with reference to the poem.

The correct answer is -“A Roadside Stand” by Robert Frost is indeed a social satire that portrays the two contrasting worlds that exist in society. The poem is set in a rural countryside, where there is a roadside stand selling fruits and vegetables. The poem describes the two types of people who stop at the stand: the wealthy and the poor.

The first three stanzas describe the wealthy people who stop at the stand. They are portrayed as superficial, materialistic, and self-absorbed. They drive expensive cars, wear fancy clothes, and have an air of superiority about them. They come to the stand not to buy fruits and vegetables, but to show off their wealth and social status. They do not care about the quality of the produce or the people who sell it. They are only interested in flaunting their wealth.

The last two stanzas, on the other hand, describe the poor people who stop at the stand. They are portrayed as hardworking, honest, and down-to-earth. They walk to the stand, wear simple clothes, and carry baskets to collect the produce. They come to the stand to buy food for their families and are grateful for what they can afford. They have a sense of community and solidarity with the people who sell the produce.

Through the contrast between the wealthy and the poor, the poem highlights the social and economic inequalities that exist in society. The wealthy are portrayed as shallow and self-centered, while the poor are portrayed as honest and hardworking. The poem is a criticism of the materialistic values that dominate modern society and a call for a return to simpler and more authentic ways of life.