The Road Not Taken
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Poetry Analysis — The Road Not Taken
The Road Not Taken
(1) Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
(2) And sorry I could not travel both
(3) And be one traveler, long I stood
(4) And looked down one as far as I could
(5) To where it bent in the undergrowth;
(6) Then took the other, just as fair,
(7) And having perhaps the better claim
(8) Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
(9) Though as for that the passing there
(10) Had worn them really about the same,
(11) And both that morning equally lay
12 In leaves no step had trodden black.
13 Oh, I marked the first for another day!
14 Yet knowing how way leads on to way
15 I doubted if I should ever come back.
16 I shall be telling this with a sigh
17 Somewhere ages and ages hence:
18 Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
19 I took the one less traveled by,
20 And that has made all the difference.
Robert Frost
Fiction elements:
What are the major aspects of a certain character?
Character
Actions — perhaps torn by indecision about which way was the best direction to travel, where life could lead next, and to determine what one would miss by passing by the opportunities on the path left behind. (2) And sorry I could not travel both,
Speech — contemplative, yet somewhat lighthearted, and a bit mocking (13) Oh, I marked the first for another day!
physical appearance — an impression of a very indecisive person who is always afraid that they will be missing something important by taking “the other road.” (4) And looked down one as far as I could,; (11) And both that morning equally lay
morning, perhaps referring to the beginning of adult life, (11) And both that morning equally lay
name — I – in the first person — making a decision “alone”, (3) And be one traveler, long I stood
reactions of other characters to the character – (not present in this poem as I see it, only that of perhaps an older, wiser self (a new older character), looking back through time from the future
(17) Somewhere ages and ages hence:
setting
How does the location affect the story?
regional influences
historical aspect Frost seems to be saying that either path would be the same, but that there may be some regret in the future.10) Had worn them really about the same,
props — the woods (1) Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,, the undergrowth (5) To where it bent in the undergrowth;
probability — the speaker doubts he shall neither regret the path not taken, nor especially rejoice in the path chosen (15) I doubted if I should ever come back.
(17) Somewhere ages and ages hence:
topographical features — these features are strictly metaphoric, but they do exist in the poem
(1) yellow wood, perhaps a young, early spring colored wood, before the leaves have matured to a green, I don’t feel this yellow color denotes aged leaves of the fall scenario,
(1) Two roads diverged, Roads in the path of life (or as I read on the web just a playful jab at a friend who was always mournful of not taking the other path on their frequent walks together through the woods, always afraid they might miss something really interesting to see on the “other path”)
symbolism
It is ones past, present and the posture with which one takes a look at one’s time yet to come that influences the way one will interpret this poem in my opinion. This poem clearly presents Frosts belief that it is the road that one chooses that makes a person who they are. “And sorry I could not travel both”
What are the significant props or repeated images and ideas?:
function for the characters (secondary function) (1) Two roads diverged, in a yellow wood Roads in the path (as I read on the web just a playful jab at a friend who was always mournful of not taking the other path on their frequent walks together through the woods)
Color denoting an inexperienced young man? a yellow wood (1)
actions or occurrences surrounding – wondering which way to go, and knowing that the path could lead to something good or something bad, but a choice has to be made, (6) Then took the other, just as fair, point of view
Who is telling the story and why?
1st-2nd-3rd person 1st person
tone
Why are these specific words chosen and how are they used?
overall mood indecisive playfulness, reflective, nostalgically humorous
Connotation (An idea that is implied or suggested) and denotation (The act of indicating or pointing out by name) The feeling of regret we all experience when we think back and consider the chances and experiences we didnt take.