Design by Robert Frost

White heal-alls, a moth with white “rigid satin cloth” wings, and a white spider are all images proposed by frost in contrast with representations and of darkness, such as bight and a witches’ broth. Images of both are repeated throughout the short poem to show the contrast between the exterior of creatures and elements of nature, and their purpose or function.
The petite white images, possibly portraying innocence, are distinguished from the figures of darkness representing death. Frost makes these distinctions to draw attention to the scene in which the white moth is trapped in the web of the “dimpled spider, fat and white.” The spider had the natural ability to create beautiful, exquisite web designs, which is alluded to by the beauty of the “white heal-all. The purpose of the web however is arguably not as striking. The dark, deathly images represent the “design of darkness” that is the spiders web. The contrast between the visual beauty and the purpose of the web is what Frost is drawing attention to through the contrasting imagery.
The stunning heal-all is “blue and innocent” and another image of beauty. The moth becomes trapped in the web within the flower because the splendor of the flower drew the moth close. The flower is now a “witches’ broth,” which the moth can desperately try to detach itself from the grasp of the web, but ultimately cannot escape.
Frost also uses contrasting imagery to illustrate the disparity between the spider’s appearance and “design.” The small white spider is seemingly harmless like the moth; both are the color of purity and very little. Unlike the moth, the spider’s appearance is very deceiving much like the web it weaves. It is actually a predator and waits for it’s prey to be tempted by it’s illustrious web.