Written in the sonnet form, 'Design' contains many terrifying implications under its almost pleasant surface.The opening three lines present the three objects of the poet's observation:the white flower(heal-all), the white spider and the white moth.At first,the emphsis on white in nature might seem to suggest purity; but the reader soon realizes that Frost's use of the color white has close relationships with Melville's use of it in Moby - Dick.That is, it represents things evil and menacing. the very fact that the first object is a spider brings on ominous suggestions. Moreover, its being fat as well as white makes it seem unpleasant. the moth moreover is rigid, it is dead. the next three lines suggest that these figures have larger significance:
               Assorted characters of death and blight
               Mixed ready to begin the morning right,
               Like the ingredients of a witches'broth.
             The first of these lines specifically states are agents of evil purposes. the fact that they are used to begin the morning indicates that evil is present even in fresh, dewy beginnings. but even more important, they are to begin the morning RIGHT.It seems as if evil is in the nature of things.Finally, the assorted characters are compared to the parts of witches' broth; they are like parts of an evil portion against which we are powrless.
             In the sestet, the poet ponders the implications of the scene he has described. What, he asks, is it all about? His answer is in the form of another question, for he is not certain; " What but design of darkness to appal" He thinks that there might be forces of darkness active in the universe bent on terrifying man. In the concluding line, he makes what may appear to be a rather off - hand remarks: " If design govern in a thing so small" However, the casual tone is delibrate. The poet would like to appear unmoved by the implications of the terrifying question he has asked. Never - the - less, the final line is ter...