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Metaphors In Robert Frost's The Road Not Taken

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Throughout “The Road Not Taken”, Robert Frost takes advantage of various literary devices, particularly metaphors. In the words of Robert Frost himself, “Metaphors, saying one thing and meaning another, saying one thing in terms of another, the pleasure of ulteriority” (Andrews). Metaphors in this poem are extremely important when it comes to its analysis, it allows for the reader to full understand what the poet’s poem is portraying. One can see that this literary device was extremely significant because Frost uses metaphors throughout the whole entire poem. Stanza one states,
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth
, here the poet metaphorically symbolizes a road to represent a choice presented in life. This allows the reader to understand that two choices are presented to a traveler and a decision must be made. In addition, “Bent in the undergrowth” metaphorically represents the point that no matter how long one looks, it is impossible to predict the outcome of each presented choice. Metaphors in this poem allow for the reader to understand that decisions are somehow linked to the overall theme.
Not only are metaphors utilized throughout the poem “The Road Not Taken” but a literary device known as Imagery is as well. Imagery is another important device because it allows for the reader to have a clear picture of what the characters in the poem are visualizing. In addition, it also helps covey the theme to the reader. An example of imagery is given in stanza two line three, which states, “Because it was grassy and wanted wear” (Frost). Here the author is using imagery to inform the reader that the main character of the story is coming up with for why one path could be more favorable over the other. The reader analyzes this line of imagery to get a clear picture of the traveler’s decision-making process. Another line where the author uses imagery is in stanza two line five, which states, “Had worn them really about the same” (Frost). Here the author is using imagery to inform the reader that the paths are “worn” down, which informs the reader that both of his choices

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