In life, each and every one of us is on a journey to our own destination. Every where that we go we will have to make decisions that will lead us to many different choices, and ultimately will determine our fate. There are many paths that can be taken in the road of life, and it is up to us to make sure we take the right one(s). No matter what Robert Frost intended to convey to the reader in “The Road Not Taken,” this poem has many different meanings. It all depends on how we analyze it, but no matter what you get from reading this poem, the main concept it demonstrates is that it is the road that one chooses that makes them who they are.
Throughout “The Road Not Taken,” Robert Frost brings together many different literary techniques to express the theme or themes of his poem. The two themes in this poem are, 1) the dilemma of making a choice, and the danger of not knowing where that decision will take you, and 2) a tale telling the reader to be different, and to take the road “less traveled.” “And sorry I could not travel both…” [line 2] It is always hard to make important decisions because you are always going to wonder what might have happened if… The speaker has no way of knowing what awaits him at either of the destinations, but he still must choose between the two paths.
The most common literary technique in “The Road Not Taken” is symbolism. The whole poem is very symbolic because the speaker reflects on the decision that he has to make, and the consequences of that decision. The choice that he has to make is not just which road should he walk down, because that would be insignificant. The choice he has to make will affect the rest of his life and determine his fate. It shows us how each and every choice we make effects our lives in ways that we will never know. Once you make a decision to do something, there is no turning back and you will never know what might have happened if you took that other road. In the first stanza of the poem the speaker must choose between two paths that diverge in a yellow dark wood. “In Frost’s poems, woods often symbolize the world in which we live. The dark woods represent the privacy of the self, the sacred domain where poetry is made.” (Contemporary Literary Criticism) The first of the two paths is the more common route compared to the other path which was “less traveled.” Frost presents us with a challenge that we all face in our daily lives, taking the easy way out. If you choose the easy, more traveled route, because the out come is more predictable than if you take the more challenging way. Many of us tend to choose the more traveled path because we know exactly what is going to come of it. People, in general like to stay in their comfort zone, and that is doing what you know, and taking the more challenging way is too threatening or difficult for an average person to do. “Doubted if I should ever come back” [line 15]. This is the persona thinking about how he will never be able to come back knowing that what he chooses now will effect every other choice he makes from now on.
Imagery is another characteristic of Robert Frost’s poem. “In several of Frost’s poems, the imagery of woods, trees, and leaves is so intimately and persistently identified with certain psychological states as to assume a symbolic significance.” (Contemporary Literary Criticism) “And both that morning equally lay in leaves no step had trodden black,” [line 11]. The leaves were all covering the ground, and since the time that they fell no person had walked on that road. This means that each time a person has to make a choice it is new to them, and they tend to feel that no one else has been there either. In this poem imagery suggests that the speaker must choose between two unknown paths that have unfamiliar destinations.
Frost structures this poem in a straightforward, concrete, and strong way. This helps the reader to interpret the theme or themes easily. Internally the structure is focused around the predicament of choosing the right path, and the thoughts that go through the persona’s mind during this decision. The poem moves chronologically from the introduction of the choices to the final decision. The external form is split into four stanzas containing five lines in each. Frost organizes each stanza by a common rhyme scheme. The rhyme pattern Frost uses is: A,B,A,A,B?C,D,C,C,D etc. The accumulation of this pattern allows the reader to hear variations in the speaker’s tone. One could hear the tone change from puzzled, to calm, to meditated through out the four stanzas.
“Then took the other, just as fair/ And having perhaps the better claim,” [lines 6/7]. What made it have the better claim is that it was grassy and didn’t have many tracks of people walking on it. The path with fewer tracks was not meant for everyone because most of the other people took the easier path. The fact that the speaker took the road “less traveled” over the more popular route shows what type of person he is. The one who chooses this path is more inclined to make a difference in the world. They are more daring, adventurous, and proud, and don’t need to follow the crowd. This person knows what they want in life and they know that following the crowd will get them no- where. People need to believe in themselves and stand up for what they believe in. We are all individual and unique in our own special ways, and we all have the power to make good decisions and be in control of our lives and our fate.
At the end of the poem, the speaker realizes that at the end of his life, “somewhere ages and ages hence,” [line 17] he will have regrets about not going back and traveling the road he did not take. Although he has these feelings, he stays proud of the decisions that he made and the path that he took, because they made him the person that he is today. “I took the road less traveled by and that made the difference,” [lines 19/20]. This shows that to him the most important thing was that he did what he felt was right, which was taking the “road less traveled.”
There are many ways to interpret this poem and find equal and significant meanings. Robert Frost may have wanted readers to understand it differently, but come up with the same conclusions, or he may have just wanted every one to have a common understanding. No matter how you understand this poem, I believe Frost wanted every reader to understand that the choices one makes in life will effect them for the rest of their lives, and there is no way to know which road you should take. In conclusion, Frost made a great contribution to poetry with this piece. This poem will bring about a more conscience decision making process for everyone who reads it for generations to come.
-”Do not follow where the path may lead… Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” (Robert Frost)
32b
Другие работы по теме:
Robert Frost The Road Not Taken Essay
, Research Paper Lisa Asadoorian 11-24-98 Intro To Lit. Roads of Life The Road Not Taken is perhaps one of Robert Frost’s most famous poems. This poem deals with the choices you have to make in life. Whether it’s what to wear in the morning or what to do with your life, everyone makes choices. When you look at this poem carefully, you realize Robert Frost is choosing much more than what road to walk down.
The Road Not Taken Essay Research Paper 2
?The Road Not Taken? Essay, Research Paper Rejoice or Regret? Robert Frost, a poet from the early Twentieth Century, is well known not only for his style, but also for his use of symbolism throughout his works. In ?The Road Not Taken?, he depicted his theme and meaning through a four stanza poem which consisted of a set rhyme scheme (A, B, A, A, B).
Robert Frost
’s “The Road Not Taken” Essay, Research Paper ?Robert Frost was one of the United States’ best-loved poets. Frost was greatly influenced by his move from San Francisco to New England at
Chrysanthemums Essay Research Paper ChrysanthemumsWhen Elisa sees
?Chrysanthemums? Essay, Research Paper ?Chrysanthemums? When Elisa sees the chrysanthemum sprouts on the road, she feels betrayed, a victim of her own romantic reverie. She has invited a stranger into her world and has seen into his world what she imagines as a brighter, freer existence than her own.
Gloss
: “The Road Not Taken” Essay, Research Paper Brought to a standstill at the presence of a crossroad, the speaker of Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” is left to contemplate which path to travel. After careful inspection of both routes, the speaker comes to the conclusion that neither path presents a more appealing endeavor ahead.
Catch22 And My Antonia
… Character Comparison Essay, Research Paper Perhaps the most directly conflicting characters in Catch-22 and in My Antonia are Colonel Cathcart and Antonia. Both of these characters are ambitious and each sees a road that runs ahead toward something called success or wealth , but the roads that they see are constructed differently.
Certainty Essay Research Paper The mind which
Certainty Essay, Research Paper The mind, which has grasped a right theory of knowledge, and has experienced it, that mind is on the road to certainty–the only kind of certainty that is open to the consciousness soul because it has begun to cross the threshold between the objective and sujbective worlds.
Analysis Of Frost
’s “A Road Not Taken” Essay, Research Paper Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken” is, at first look, Frost’s wistful memory of coming to two roads while walking in the woods and having to choose one of
Getting In Essay Research Paper The most
Getting In Essay, Research Paper The most significant experience of my life is yet to come. The most meaningful experience of my life must be the transaction from high school to college. My high school years
Lakh Essay Research Paper We have all
Lakh Essay, Research Paper We have all been down a very long road. There have been so many twists and turns along the way, but finally we have found our precious “E” again. It won’t be an easy road, it never is, but we will make it. Love heals all wounds, even ones that rip people to shreds, or so we hope. Ann Elizabeth let us into her heart for the very first time, and that took the greatest amount of courage of all.
Richard Corey Essay Research Paper Money can
Richard Corey Essay, Research Paper Money can t buy happiness and “You can’t judge a book by its cover” are two old adages that echo through time; however, they seem to echo so softly that they are quite often disregarded. For men, in their search for contentment and fulfillment, only see money as the main vehicle.
The Silk Road Essay Research Paper The
The Silk Road Essay, Research Paper The Silk Road is the most well-known trading route of ancient Chinese civilization. Trade in silk grew under the Han Dynasty in the first and second centuries. Originally, the Chinese trade silk internally, within the empire. Caravans from the empire’s interior would carry silk to the western edges of the region.
Lea Valley 2
Lea Valley – Where Is The Area Under Study Essay, Research Paper The Lea Valley Regional Park is in Picketts Lock, it is along the A1055. In this area there is recreational land use (golf course
The Road Essay Research Paper Oh how
The Road Essay, Research Paper Oh how many times i have driven this road with butterflies in my stomach, a gleam in my eye. Just knowing i was going to see you.
The Age For A Driver
’s License Essay, Research Paper Raising the minimum age for a driving license: Necessary or useless? The question about raising the minimum age for a driving license has been
Poem Flowers Essay Research Paper Lynn had
Poem: Flowers Essay, Research Paper Lynn had never been serene like a glowing bright sky. Always to occupied, like a busy fly. Lynn met a powerful woman, who had some advice,
Explication The Road Not Taken Essay Research
Paper Explication: The Road Not Taken “The Road Not Taken” is a poem written by Robert Frost. In his poem Frost describes a traveler’s choice between two roads and how this choice effects his life later.
Influential Essay Essay Research Paper A lot
Influential Essay Essay, Research Paper A lot of people take their driver’s license for granted, and believe me I use to take it for granted too. But ever since I lost my license, I will never take it for granted again.
The Easy Road To The Final Four
Essay, Research Paper The Easy Road To the Final Four… So, you’re from Indianapolis but all the tickets to the Final Four games are sold out. You still want in. You go to the game looking for scalpers but they charge over $200 a ticket. You pay him. FOOL!!!! Don’t pay him! Here’s what ya do,
Jack Kerouac Essay Research Paper The novel
Jack Kerouac Essay, Research Paper The novel On The Road written by Jack Kerouac is a book that can be read as a quest taken by Sal Paradise who sets out to test the American Dream by trying to pin down its promise of unlimited freedom by following the example of Dean Morairty. In the book ? the road? becomes a symbol of freedom or escape for Sal and his friends.
Assuming No Pollution Explain Why A Road
Is Only An Example Of Market Failure When It Is Congested. Essay, Research Paper Assuming no pollution, explain why a road is only an example of market failure when it is congested.
Crying Again Essay Research Paper The Sky
Crying Again Essay, Research Paper The Sky is crying again And i am crying again. When did it start? When will it end? How’d i wind up with out a friend? Tears from my heart cling to my soul.
Mxpx
–Andrea Essay, Research Paper Andrea Meeting you was just so unexpected I guess I was scared of being rejected Since you were so nice I wouldn’t think twice
The Other Road Essay Research Paper The
The Other Road Essay, Research Paper The Other Road Rachel Carson- Silent Spring Perhaps if we as a whole, the human race, had taken the road less traveled by, our environment would not be in the trouble it is in today. Our only way to ensure survival of species is to take the other road, to try to reverse the damage we have already done.
Example Paper Essay Research Paper Have you
Example Paper Essay, Research Paper Have you ever been driving and see the person in front of you is all over the road? No they?re not drunk, it?s probably some one trying to juggle a cell phone, a coffee, and put on make-up. That is my mom. She could care less for the cars behind her or the people around her, she just won?t do those things at home.
Robert Frost Essay Research Paper In Robert
Robert Frost Essay, Research Paper In Robert Frosts’ poem “The Road Not Taken,” Frost talks of choosing between two roads to travel. Frost has come to a split in the road and has to choose which road to pick. In Randy Travis’ song “I Told You So,” a man learns that his girlfriend is choosing between himself and another man.
Robert Frost Poem Choices Are Taken
Essay, Research Paper Choices made in “The Road Not Taken” In ‘The Road Not Taken’ by Robert Frost, the speaker has to make a difficult decision about choosing one of two equally promising roads to travel on. This poem is easy for people to identify with because people all have to make difficult decisions in their lives.
The Road Not Taken 2
The Road Not Taken Essay, Research Paper The Road Not Taken 1998 “The Road Not Taken” Rather Than “The Road Taken?” A Title, A Choice The title of a poem often reflects the author’s theme. In his poem “The Road Not Taken” Frost’s theme is about choices. He had two roads to chose from and wonders what would have happened had he taken the other road.
The Road Not Taken
– R. Frost Essay, Research Paper Who Needs Directions? In his poem “The Road Not Taken” Frost’s theme is about how the choices one makes affect life. When we come to a fork in the road, a decision needs to be made. Both paths are different and choosing the right one if there is a right one will depend on where we have been.
On The Road Essay Research Paper On
On The Road Essay, Research Paper On The Road The novel On The Road is based on one mans true stories about his craziest adventures through the United States and Mexico. This is one of the greatest novels of all time and nothing I have read so far seems so realistic. Jack Kerovac, who is the author of the book, places himself as the narrator.
Road Not Taken Essay Research Paper Robert
Road Not Taken Essay, Research Paper Robert Frost The Road Not Taken The poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost is about the choices that one makes in life. It tells about a man who comes to a fork in the road he traveling upon, he feel
Robert Frost Critique Essay Research Paper Choices
Robert Frost Critique Essay, Research Paper Choices are never easy- men face multitudes of them in their lifetime. Some decisions to these choices are clear while others are sometimes more difficult to effectuate. The poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost is a first person narrative tale of a monumental moment in the speaker s life- Frost can be considered the speaker.
Making Decisons In The Road Not Taken
Essay, Research Paper Making Decisions in The Road Not Taken In The Road Not Taken Frost emphasizes that every person is a traveler choosing the roads to follow on the map of their continuous journey-life. There is never a straight path that leads a person one sole direction in which to head. Regardless of the original message that Robert Frost had intended to convey, The Road Not Taken has left me with many different interpretations.