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The Road Not Taken Essay

Decent Essays

In analyzing the poem 'The Road Not Taken'; by Robert Frost, it represents 'the classic choice of a moment and a lifetime.';(pg 129) He relies much on the reflections of nature to convey his theme. However, this poem seems to be in essence very simple but opens the door for many interpretations.
In using a simple fork in a road, Frost writes much to symbolize life and choices in which one will make. Frost uses unique ability to see an ordinary, everyday activity to portray such a theme. By using such simple endeavors, Frost reaches his audience on a more personal level. However, it is only one's past, present and the attitude with which he or she looks upon the future that determines the shade of light in which the poem will be …show more content…

It is the way that he chooses here that sets him off on his journey and where the road will take him.
Then as we close out the first stanza, we establish that yet 'one'; road has been 'looked down'; as far as possible. However, the use of the semicolon after 'undergrowth'; initiates a turn of the head to lead into the examination of the other road. (pg133)
'Then took the other, just as fair, and having perhaps the better claim.'; What seems to have made it such a better claim is that 'it was grassy and wanted wear.'; It was a road obviously not for everyone because it seemed that the majority of people took the other often traveled path. Therefore, Frost calls this 'the road less traveled by.'; The simple fact that the traveler chooses to take this path over the frequently chosen path,indicates the type of personality in the traveler. It shows that the individual is one to not particularly follow the crowd but sets him apart from the rest by doing something new and unique. It is often called 'the path of least resistance.'; In being somewhat of an easier way with less obstacles to overcome.
'And both that morning equally lay in leaves no step had trodden black.'; The leaves had somewhat covered the ground and since the time they had fallen no one had yet to travel on this road. Perhaps Frost does this to show that each time a person comes to a point where they have to make a choice, it is new to them. It envisions that it is somewhere the traveler has never been.

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