The road not taken book by robert frost full#

Frost also selects several words such as “yellow wood,” “long,” “just as fair,” “sigh,” “ages and ages” portray that the speaker has been on the earth for quite a bit of time. The act of speaking in past tense for the majority of the poems develops the symbol of passing time. Though it is elaborate, the poem’s diction contributes to highly reflective imagery. To the speaker, his pursuit is important, and that supports his taking on of a solemn tone. In the way that a fork in a road symbolizes a decision and a journey symbolizes a quest, the speaker is seeking to continue his life and gain self-knowledge. It is reasonable how the speaker would adopt such a solemnity while making such a decision as he would hope to make the best decision and not have any regrets.

He therefore “looked down as far as could to where it bent in the undergrowth” to figuratively examine how one decision would affect his life. He understands that the choice is critical and does not treat life like a game, to be jokingly selected. The speaker realizes that both roads were “equally laying” “just as fair,” which makes them “really about the same.” The fact that there was not a significant difference between the two roads makes it difficult for the speaker to choose which road he would like to take. Frost explains how “two roads diverged in a yellow wood,” and the speaker “taking the other” after “long stood” has “made all the difference.” He acknowledges that the choices he has made and will make will greatly affect his future therefore it is not a matter to be taken lightly, thus explaining his solemnity in the matter. The poem speaks very much about the decisions one must make should they continue through their life. “The Road Not Taken” possesses a solemn tone. In essence that a life-changing decision is “life-changing,” it is all the same impossible to turn back and take the other road.

The road not taken book by robert frost full#

Because life is full of forks and divisions, it is not possible that one can choose one way and decide to turn back for the other. At such points, Frost goes further to describe how one would contemplate whether or not the individual would like to take the road that has been traveled more or embark upon their own path. Frost speaks of the decisions one encounters as they journey through life and how at several points, one would come to a “fork” where the individual would have to decide which road (or decision) is best for them.

The poem describes the act of making choices within one’s life is solely responsible for the outcomes one produces. I found this very useful, i hope someone else does too.