In the poem ‘A Road Side Stand’, why does the poet call the car selfish?

In the poem 'A Road Side Stand' by Robert Frost, the poet refers to the car as selfish to symbolize the indifference and insensitivity of the city dwellers, who are often represented by the car, towards the rural folks.

Step 1: Understanding the Poem's Context The poem is about the contrast between the life of rural and urban people. The roadside stand is a symbol of the rural life, while the car represents the urban life.

Step 2: Identifying the Symbolism of the Car The car is used as a symbol for the city dwellers who pass by the roadside stand. They are in a hurry to reach their destinations and have no time to stop and appreciate the simple beauty of the countryside or to buy the goods offered by the rural folks.

Step 3: Understanding Why the Car is Called Selfish The poet calls the car selfish because it represents the city dwellers who are indifferent to the plight of the rural folks. They are so engrossed in their own world that they don't bother to stop at the roadside stand. They are only concerned about their own needs and desires, hence the term 'selfish'.

Step 4: Interpreting the Poet's Message Through the poem, the poet is trying to convey the message that the urban people should not be indifferent to the rural folks. They should stop at the roadside stand, appreciate the beauty of the countryside, and help the rural folks by buying their goods. This will not only help the rural folks economically but also bridge the gap between the rural and urban life.