Life Path Choice ('The Road Not Taken')

Throughout Robert Frost’ poem, “The Road Not Taken”, he takes two roads that diverged in a yellow wood and connected them to everyday choices an individual has to make. It represents an individual’s journey throughout life. He uses scholarly words throughout his poem rather than simple words. An example of this is “In leaves no step had trodden black”. He could have said the road was not walked on as much. Frost uses strong elements throughout his poems in order to express his feelings on human experience. Some of these elements include theme, imagery, and symbolism.

The theme of this poem is an individual being indecisive about which path will be more beneficial. It is also metaphorical because one must choose between an easy route or the route less traveled by. This path is perhaps the better choice. The poem describes that both paths were worn really about the same, but he took the one less traveled by and that has made all the difference. This goes to show that no matter if one is worn more than the other, always be a leader and do what your mind and heart tells you to do. Don’t be a follower just because one path is traveled on more.

Robert Frost uses a form of imagery throughout this poem to describe the setting. He creates a vivid description of the scenery the individual will see as he/she walks down a chosen path. An example of this form of imagery is in stanza two “Then took the other, as just as fair, and having perhaps the better claim, because it was grassy and wanted wear; though as for that the passing there had worn them really about the same”. Another form of imagery is found in stanza one line one, “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood”. This allows the reader to visualize the path he/she is taking.

The poem, “The Road Not Taken” is symbolic, meaning the road means more than what it is. For instance, a choice must be made between two roads that diverge in the woods. Although he would like to travel both, he realizes he can’t at the same time. In the beginning of the poem, the reader thinks the paths are just choices to make, however; towards the end, the reader learns that the paths are about which one will make a better difference in life. This causes the reader to interpret that just because a scenery is more attractive does not mean it is the best path to go down. Sometimes the unpleasant sights will lead you to the most beautiful places.

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