The Road Not Taken Analysis Essay
Language – text (forms and features)
Mending Wall – Frost’s use of the wall as an extended metaphor represents the division between the neighbours, but ironically, is the thing that draws them together, “We keep the wall between us as we go.” The wall separates them, but the use of the word ‘us’ illustrates their connection. Therefore, the wall illustrates the boundaries of human interaction that people create on life’s journey, as well as learning to accept people’s different perspectives.
The Wood Pile – The wood pile, “And piled and measured, four by four by eight,” illustrates the structure and conformity the Industrial Revolution has placed on society. However, its decay exemplifies the futility structure has contributed to the modern world. This use of the wood pile as a vehicle for self-realisation and critique upon society illustrates the benefits of a natural, secluded setting on a physical journey. …show more content…
The Road Not Taken – The use of the two paths to represent conflicting choices on the persona’s particular journey in nature can be broadened to the struggles associated with decision-making in life’s journey.
It also illustrates the guilt, “I shall be telling this with a sigh,” that people feel after a choice is made, and how people must learn to live spontaneously and accept their judgement.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn – Twain uses the Missisippi River as a symbol of the freedom gained by escaping from society into a natural environment on a physical journey. The stark contrast of the Romantic diction associated with this environment, ‘lovely’ and ‘smiling’, with the contemptuous words, ‘death’ and ‘dogfight’ used to describe society, helps convey the benefit of seclusion in nature for a journeyer.
Interrelationships among tests – linking core poems to additional
text
Mending Wall – Psychological growth is triggered in different ways in these texts. In Mending Wall, the persona relies on the seclusion in nature and self-reflection to trigger inner growth. In contrast, Huck Finn communicates the usefulness of obstacles as valuable learning experiences, such as Huck’s emotional barrier, his engrained racist attitude towards ‘niggers’. Throughout the journey, this concept is challenged by experiences the two share. “It was fifteen minutes before I could humble myself to a nigger but I done it, and I warn’t even sorry for it afterward…” Huck’s realisation of unfair discrimination shows the audience the journey’s ability to alter perceptions as the traveller breaks away from society’s norms.
The Wood Pile – In The Wood Pile, the persona is able to have an epiphany about the society he/she left behind by using nature as the setting and guide. By segregating him/herself from a modernising society, the traveller is able to consider the relationship between nature and man. Similarly, in Huck Finn, the use of the Mississippi River as both a literal and emotional escape from conformist society allows Huck to reflect upon the wrongs in ‘sivilised’ society and thus change his perceptions – “All right then, I’ll go to hell.” Huck’s powerful rejection of his childhood acuities is triggered not only by nature, but the experiences and spontaneity it holds.
Mending Wall – Frost’s use of the wall as an extended metaphor represents the division between the neighbours, but ironically, is the thing that draws them together, “We keep the wall between us as we go.” The wall separates them, but the use of the word ‘us’ illustrates their connection. Therefore, the wall illustrates the boundaries of human interaction that people create on life’s journey, as well as learning to accept people’s different perspectives.
The Wood Pile – The wood pile, “And piled and measured, four by four by eight,” illustrates the structure and conformity the Industrial Revolution has placed on society. However, its decay exemplifies the futility structure has contributed to the modern world. This use of the wood pile as a vehicle for self-realisation and critique upon society illustrates the benefits of a natural, secluded setting on a physical journey. …show more content…
The Road Not Taken – The use of the two paths to represent conflicting choices on the persona’s particular journey in nature can be broadened to the struggles associated with decision-making in life’s journey.
It also illustrates the guilt, “I shall be telling this with a sigh,” that people feel after a choice is made, and how people must learn to live spontaneously and accept their judgement.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn – Twain uses the Missisippi River as a symbol of the freedom gained by escaping from society into a natural environment on a physical journey. The stark contrast of the Romantic diction associated with this environment, ‘lovely’ and ‘smiling’, with the contemptuous words, ‘death’ and ‘dogfight’ used to describe society, helps convey the benefit of seclusion in nature for a journeyer.
Interrelationships among tests – linking core poems to additional
text
Mending Wall – Psychological growth is triggered in different ways in these texts. In Mending Wall, the persona relies on the seclusion in nature and self-reflection to trigger inner growth. In contrast, Huck Finn communicates the usefulness of obstacles as valuable learning experiences, such as Huck’s emotional barrier, his engrained racist attitude towards ‘niggers’. Throughout the journey, this concept is challenged by experiences the two share. “It was fifteen minutes before I could humble myself to a nigger but I done it, and I warn’t even sorry for it afterward…” Huck’s realisation of unfair discrimination shows the audience the journey’s ability to alter perceptions as the traveller breaks away from society’s norms.
The Wood Pile – In The Wood Pile, the persona is able to have an epiphany about the society he/she left behind by using nature as the setting and guide. By segregating him/herself from a modernising society, the traveller is able to consider the relationship between nature and man. Similarly, in Huck Finn, the use of the Mississippi River as both a literal and emotional escape from conformist society allows Huck to reflect upon the wrongs in ‘sivilised’ society and thus change his perceptions – “All right then, I’ll go to hell.” Huck’s powerful rejection of his childhood acuities is triggered not only by nature, but the experiences and spontaneity it holds.