Here's why:
* Stark Reality: The poem focuses on the harsh realities of rural life. The boy's death is a stark reminder of the dangers and unpredictability of farm work.
* Simplistic Language: Frost uses simple, direct language to depict the scene. The poem is devoid of flowery language or sentimentalism, emphasizing the starkness of the situation.
* Unemotional Tone: While the poem is undeniably tragic, the tone is surprisingly unemotional. The focus is on the events themselves, rather than on emotional responses, highlighting the stark reality of death in a rural setting.
While other adjectives like "rustic," "primitive," or "melancholy" might have some relevance, "stark" best captures the core essence of the poem's portrayal of rural New England life: a raw, uncompromising, and often unforgiving reality.