The Road Not Taken, By Robert Frost
Robert Frost effectively utilizes literary techniques involving metaphors, personification and imagery to describe internal struggles prevalent throughout life. Although, “Desert Places” and “The Road Not Taken” differ in the messages they bring to the reader’s attention and general themes, they both describe internal struggle dealt with by the narrator and use the setting as a metaphor.
Desert Places, is based on the theme of loneliness and isolation. The narrator does not appear to believe that they will feel better anytime soon “…Will be more lonely ere it will be less” (Frost, 10). With that being said it is as though the narrator treats this loneliness as a part of their life, that they have become accustomed to.
The theme presented in The Road Not Taken, is that there are many crucial decisions throughout one’s life. Often times it may be beneficial to choose the less safe option as the rewards are greater. Many choices we make have the power to shape how the rest of our lives go and it is impossible to know which is the correct decision until much later, “Somewhere ages and ages hence:…I took the road less traveled by, And that has made all the difference” (Frost, 17, 18-19). Frost reminds readers that risks are often necessary in life in order to achieve one’s aspirations. It may not be easy and there is the risk of failure but that is why it is viewed as the road less traveled. …show more content…
First, in Desert Places the Narrator takes advantage of an empty, eerie setting as a way to reflect in which, loneliness and isolation may appear to an individual experiencing it.
An empty, snow covered field is a metaphor for the narrator’s internal state. Furthermore, Frost uses snow to symbolize a metaphorical death within the narrator’s self “A blanker whiteness of benighted snow with no expression, nothing to express” (Frost, 11-12). This allows readers to form the assumption that the narrator may be experiencing depression or another similar mood
disorder.
In contrast, The Road Not Taken appropriates the metaphor of two differing paths as a way to show contrast for two distinct choices in life. The first path shows more wear, which is symbolic of a lifestyle more often chosen. To many this may appear as the safe choice. The opposite path has less wear. This means the lifestyle not many choose for themselves, the more strenuous of paths.
The tone used in these two poems differ greatly. The tone of the narrator in Desert Places is more hopeless. The narrator loathes in their own self-pity and appears to have no faith in returning to a state of happiness. The setting is another tool used to help set the tone. The author uses harsh words when describing the setting to readers. Darkness and snow are often thought of as sad or even scary and empty.
In contrast Robert Frost applies an encouraging tone to the Road Not Taken. In this poem the narrator is stressed although hopeful for the future. The scene described in this poem also helps to make the tone more uplifting and inspiring. The setting is that of green grass and nature. This may be thought of as a peaceful setting to readers.
Desert Places, is based on the theme of loneliness and isolation. The narrator does not appear to believe that they will feel better anytime soon “…Will be more lonely ere it will be less” (Frost, 10). With that being said it is as though the narrator treats this loneliness as a part of their life, that they have become accustomed to.
The theme presented in The Road Not Taken, is that there are many crucial decisions throughout one’s life. Often times it may be beneficial to choose the less safe option as the rewards are greater. Many choices we make have the power to shape how the rest of our lives go and it is impossible to know which is the correct decision until much later, “Somewhere ages and ages hence:…I took the road less traveled by, And that has made all the difference” (Frost, 17, 18-19). Frost reminds readers that risks are often necessary in life in order to achieve one’s aspirations. It may not be easy and there is the risk of failure but that is why it is viewed as the road less traveled. …show more content…
First, in Desert Places the Narrator takes advantage of an empty, eerie setting as a way to reflect in which, loneliness and isolation may appear to an individual experiencing it.
An empty, snow covered field is a metaphor for the narrator’s internal state. Furthermore, Frost uses snow to symbolize a metaphorical death within the narrator’s self “A blanker whiteness of benighted snow with no expression, nothing to express” (Frost, 11-12). This allows readers to form the assumption that the narrator may be experiencing depression or another similar mood
disorder.
In contrast, The Road Not Taken appropriates the metaphor of two differing paths as a way to show contrast for two distinct choices in life. The first path shows more wear, which is symbolic of a lifestyle more often chosen. To many this may appear as the safe choice. The opposite path has less wear. This means the lifestyle not many choose for themselves, the more strenuous of paths.
The tone used in these two poems differ greatly. The tone of the narrator in Desert Places is more hopeless. The narrator loathes in their own self-pity and appears to have no faith in returning to a state of happiness. The setting is another tool used to help set the tone. The author uses harsh words when describing the setting to readers. Darkness and snow are often thought of as sad or even scary and empty.
In contrast Robert Frost applies an encouraging tone to the Road Not Taken. In this poem the narrator is stressed although hopeful for the future. The scene described in this poem also helps to make the tone more uplifting and inspiring. The setting is that of green grass and nature. This may be thought of as a peaceful setting to readers.