The Road Not Taken

Though it may seem to have a deep meaning, this poem that was written by Robert Frost, "The Road Not Taken" was originally about Frost's indecisive hiking partner. The poem is a narrative poem that presents a metaphoric twist on the concept of making life choices through loose iambic tetrameter. It consists of four five-line stanzas, also known as quintains. It also follows an abaab rhyme scheme with roughly nine syllables per line. From the vivid imagery that acts as an extended metaphor through the poem, we can decipher that the setting is a dense forest in the prime of Autumn.
In the first line of the first quintain, the narrator provides insight on the setting of the poem by saying “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,” (1). The two roads
While he acknowledges that both roads are equally appealing, the speaker has decided on taking the second road. Signs of hesitance can still be seen through the comma that interrupts the flow of the line. This example of caesura suggests he may be reevaluating his decision even as he says it. He goes on to justify his choice by acknowledging this second road has “perhaps the better claim, / Because it was grassy and wanted wear;” (7-8). The second option is the one less chosen as it’s grassy appearance indicates it’s not worn from being walked upon and “wanted wear”. This example of personification connects the path to the human decision-making process in which it represents by giving it a human quality. The narrator goes on to say “Though as for that the passing there / Had worn them really about the same,” (9-10). He begins to contradict his former statement and admit that maybe these paths are equally traveled after all. This, again, shows the reader’s indecisivity about these two seemingly minor
Here vivid imagery is used to compare the paths in that they “both that morning equally lay / In leaves no step had trodden black” (11-12). The repeated consonant, l, helps the lines flow in a peaceful manner that resembles the nature of the paths. Although it was previously stated that first path appears heavily used in comparison to the second path, both paths are lightly covered in freshly fallen leaves. The speaker knows he is first to travel either path this morning because the leaves have not been turned dark by the feet of other hikers. This perhaps makes the situation more difficult as it is human nature to follow the decisions of a large group. Once again using a repetitive consonant sound, the speaker confirms his previous choice and decides to “keep the first for another day!” (13). The use of caesura at the end of the statement implies the narrator’s confidence in his statement, but could also be an attempt to reassure himself that he can return to take the other another time. Predictably, the reader once again contradicts his previous statement to say he “doubts if I should ever come back” as he knows how “way leads on to way,” (14-15). Knowing how one road leads on to another road, the speaker realizes returning is a foolish hope, but finds comfort in knowing there will be other paths to explore. There is a return in these lines to the metaphoric theme of