In "Mending Wall," tradition is a central theme explored through the ritual of repairing a wall between two neighbors. The poem highlights the tension between following customs without question and the desire to challenge outdated practices. The speaker questions the necessity of the wall, while the neighbor insists on maintaining it, illustrating the persistence of tradition even when its purpose is unclear.

The speaker in the poem questions the need for the wall, noting that it serves no practical purpose. He humorously points out that his apple trees will not cross over to eat the cones under his neighbor's pines:

My apple trees will never get across
And eat the cones under his pines, I tell him.

Despite this, the neighbor insists on repairing the wall, citing the adage "good fences make good neighbours." This reflects how people often adhere to customs simply because they have always done so, without considering their relevance.

The poem also addresses the "darkness" of maintaining traditions that no longer seem relevant. The neighbor's insistence on the wall is described as primitive and without logic. The speaker wants to question the tradition, yet he participates in the ritual, highlighting an internal conflict between tradition and reason.

The neighbor's actions are rooted in the past, as he "will not go behind his father's saying." This adherence to tradition is portrayed as a form of emotional and psychological darkness, where the neighbor refuses to connect with the speaker or question the origins of the wall. The speaker's frustration with this blind adherence to tradition is evident as he questions:

Something there is that doesn't love a wall

Ultimately, "Mending Wall" presents two opposing views on tradition. The neighbor represents the adherence to customs for their own sake, while the speaker symbolizes the desire to break free from unnecessary rituals. This tension between tradition and individualism is central to the poem, highlighting the complexities of human relationships and the struggle between maintaining the past and embracing change.