Fall of Frost Reading Guide & Discussion Questions

Book Club Discussion Questions

Print PDF

For supplemental discussion material see our Beyond the Book article, Little Known Facts About Robert Frost and our BookBrowse Review of Fall of Frost.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. Frost is so strongly identified with New England that it may come as a surprise that he was born—and spent his early years—in San Francisco. How does Frost’s origin and heritage as a Westerner come into play in his identity? Are there elements of this heritage that remain within him even after his long association with the East?
   


2. Frost admires Khrushchev, calling him a “Russian Yankee.” What does Frost like and respect about Khrushchev? How does his preconception of Khrushchev shape their eventual meeting? What does Frost’s admiration of Khrushchev say about his own values? How do his feelings toward the Soviet premier contrast with his feelings toward John F. Kennedy, whom he describes as “Galahad”?
   


3. The meeting between Frost and Khrushchev is one of the narrative climaxes of the book. What do you think of Frost’s speech urging Khrushchev to “cut the Knot” (202) of Berlin and “usher in the golden age” (206)? Does Frost have anything legitimately helpful or insightful to say, or is he on a fool’s errand?
   

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Penguin Books. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.