Robert Frost writes of ordinary life situations in his work, these basic situations are used in to portray a deeper meaning. The simple or ordinary aspects of life that Frost illustrates in his poetry are associated with the extraordinary features of human life. Frost's poetry makes this connection between the regular and the irregular through the use of many poetic. In frosts poem "After Apple Picking" the simple daily ritual of picking an apple from a tree is described. However this poem delves deeper than simply picking an apple, it explores the life and death of a man, his goals, achievements and failures. Frost continues with this connection in his poem "The Road Not Taken". Frost writes of a traveller who must make a simple decision about which direction to proceed. This poem metaphorically explores the choices that are faced and the decision that must be made by all people. This link between the ordinary and the extraordinary is what gives Frost's work its great value.
             "After Apple Picking" literally deals with the process of a man picking apples before the arrival of the winter season. However the poem may also be symbolically or metaphorically seen as life itself, the picking of apples representing life's work and accomplishments, and the onset of winter symbolizing impending death. Frost through his poetry makes the connection between the very common activity of picking apples and perhaps the most extraordinary event of life, death. He does this by using poetic techniques such as the constant exercise of symbols and metaphors including an extended metaphor. Frost also employs a dramatic monologue structure, which in turn allows for the poem to take the shape of a journey.
             In this poem four major symbols have been established. The apple picker himself is the representation of a man doing his life's work. The work itself is symbolized by the apples, there are the good apple...