Narrative Essay
Megan Smith
ENG-111-OL2
Literary Analysis: The Road Not Taken
Like many of us, the poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost describes a young traveler faced with the choice of which road to take. In order to continue his journey he must decide which road to take, without the chance to return. In this particular poem, Robert Frost metaphorically depicts the average persons thought process of making some of life’s most important decisions. He does this by comparing life’s journey with that of a traveling man who has reached a point in his life that he cannot return. Frost’s poem describes opportunity and difficulty as the traveler realizes he will miss the experiences he may have encountered on the road not taken. The images described in the poem reflect the difficulty of making choices. For example, “I could not travel both” (2) and “long I stood” (3) depict the traveler standing to ponder on which road to take, without the option to travel both. These lines show the difficulty behind making such huge life decisions, while the tone of the poet gives the impression of regret at the necessity of his decision. “To where it bent in the undergrowth” (5) and “Because it was grassy and wanted wear” (8) indicate the darkness shown in one opportunity and the fresh calling of another. The imagery in these lines create the sense that neither road is taken very often as depicted in “worn them really about the same” (10) and “In leaves no step had trodden black” (12).
ENG-111-OL2
Literary Analysis: The Road Not Taken
Like many of us, the poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost describes a young traveler faced with the choice of which road to take. In order to continue his journey he must decide which road to take, without the chance to return. In this particular poem, Robert Frost metaphorically depicts the average persons thought process of making some of life’s most important decisions. He does this by comparing life’s journey with that of a traveling man who has reached a point in his life that he cannot return. Frost’s poem describes opportunity and difficulty as the traveler realizes he will miss the experiences he may have encountered on the road not taken. The images described in the poem reflect the difficulty of making choices. For example, “I could not travel both” (2) and “long I stood” (3) depict the traveler standing to ponder on which road to take, without the option to travel both. These lines show the difficulty behind making such huge life decisions, while the tone of the poet gives the impression of regret at the necessity of his decision. “To where it bent in the undergrowth” (5) and “Because it was grassy and wanted wear” (8) indicate the darkness shown in one opportunity and the fresh calling of another. The imagery in these lines create the sense that neither road is taken very often as depicted in “worn them really about the same” (10) and “In leaves no step had trodden black” (12).