The poem "Home Burial" by Robert Frost, is set on a New England farm some time in this early century. A man and his wife are both coping with the grief that follows the loss of their child. However, I believe that the husband is too intimidating and insensitive to his wife's needs, and he does not allow her to have the time to heal that any woman in her position would be due. .
The husband shows his intimidating behavior in the very early stages of the poem. The scene is set with the wife, Amy, looking out the kitchen window while staring at her child's grave. Her husband immediately starts "advancing toward her" and demands to know what she is looking at. When she refuses him, then his tone changes into a kind inquiry (Frost 6-16). These attitude changes are seen throughout the poem. When he does not get the reaction that he is looking for, he will either become sweeter or more forceful. Moreover, at the end of the play he says "I"ll follow and bring you back by force. I will!" (Frost 130). If this statement reveals anything he has said or done in the past, then there would be even more cause for Amy to feel intimidated. .
Another cool approach that the husband uses is his insensitivity to his wife's needs. Amy pointed out, "You could sit there with the stains on your shoes of the fresh earth of your own baby's grave and talk about your everyday concerns" (Frost 89-91). Instead of offering an explanation or even acknowledgement of his insensitivity on the day he buried their child, he replies "God, if I don't believe I"m cursed" (Frost 103). At this, Amy continues to let him know how she feels; at the end of her outpouring he simply believes that she is finished with her breakdown and has let it all out, so she will not leave him (Frost 121-122). .
Finally, Amy is not allowed the proper time to heal that she deserves. Although her husband tries his best to communicate, his advances are quick and heartless toward her, and therefore do not allow her to express her feelings like she needs to.
