Is the fence really necessary?

When reading "Mending Wall" by Robert Frost two messages are apparent to me: the need for the wall to live as good neighbors and the fight nature has against the wall each year. Frost introduces the poem by explaining the latter, each year the wall has gaps and holes made by anything from hunters to the freezing of the ground beneath. It is clear that the natural surroundings of this wall are physically not accepting of it's presence. Nature rejects the wall by slowly and silently breaking it down to its original boulders. This aspect of the poem may serve to represent Frost's personal views  on tampering with nature by disapproving of disrupting the natural and creating things that shouldn't be there.

Frost describes the annual tradition of walking the length of the wall with his neighbor in order to mend the gaps. He does not see the point of the wall, especially where the properties are completely distinguished by type of tree and there is nothing to keep in or out. He questions his neighbor on the necessity of the wall. His neighbor's response is, "Good fences make good neighbors."This part of the poem completely varies form the theme of nature and introduces the ideas of privacy and trust. While neither man seems to have a conspicuous issue with the other, the neighbor hints that he is fond of the meaning and presence of the fence and would prefer to keep it as a physical barrier and symbol of their division. Instead of coming to agreements through good communication, the neighbor would rather avoid communication all together and leave out the opportunity for quarrel over property, privacy, etc. The narrator challenges this idea and his neighbor is reluctant, yet not argumentative. He coyly stands his ground continuing to mend the wall.

While this poem does talk about the power of nature, I think the real meaning comes from the neighbor and the importance of the wall to him. While the narrator of the poem is the one not supportive of the wall, it may be Frost's voice coming through the neighbor who believes in the concept of physical or symbolic boundaries between neighbors or even friends and loved ones. His point is accurate no doubt: issues can be avoided if there are no means for conflict to arise. But, is this the way to go about life -- creating barriers in order to leave no room for discussion? I don't think neighbors, friends, or anyone should not have to decide on terms of agreement or set boundaries unless they have things to keep psychically in or out (such as the cows Frost refers to). This poem left me uncertain whose side Frost is truly on: the narrator or the neighbor.