The poem “A Roadside Stand” by Robert Frost is included in the CBSE Class 12th NCERT English Flamingo book. It highlights the economic disparity and social injustice faced by rural communities, emphasizing the gap between the wealthy urban population and struggling villagers.
The poem depicts a small roadside stand where villagers sell fruits, vegetables, and other products to travelers passing by. Despite their efforts, they struggle to survive due to poverty, neglect, and lack of infrastructure. Frost criticizes the indifference of urban dwellers, who fail to notice the villagers’ hardships, and presents a poignant commentary on social inequality and human insensitivity.
For CBSE Class 12 students, A Roadside Stand is important for summary, theme, poetic devices, and exam-oriented questions. Key themes include poverty, urban-rural divide, human empathy, and social responsibility. Understanding this poem helps students develop critical thinking and social awareness, while also preparing effectively for board exams.
This poem encourages readers to empathize with marginalized communities and recognize societal inequalities.
