“Then took the other, just as fair, and having perhaps the better claim.” What made it have the better claim is that “it was grassy and wanted wear.” It was something that was obviously not for everyone because it seemed that the majority of people took the other path therefore he calls it “the road less travelled by”. It is the way that he chooses here that sets him off on his journey and decides where he is going. As much he may strain his eyes to see as far the road stretches, eventually it surpasses his vision and he can never see where it is going to lead. The road that will be chosen leads to the unknown, as does any choice in life. In an attempt to make a decision, the traveler “looks down one as far as I could”. There is a strong sense of regret before the choice is even made and it lies in the knowledge that in one lifetime, it is impossible to travel down every path. “And sorry I could not travel both…” It is always difficult to make a decision because it is impossible not to wonder about the opportunity cost, what will be missed out on. In any case however, this poem clearly demonstrates Frost’s belief that it is the road that one chooses that makes him the man who he is. It is one’s past, present and the attitude with which he looks upon his future that determines the shade of the light that he will see the poem in. Regardless of the original message that Robert Frost had intended to convey, his poem, “The Road Not Taken”, has left its readers with many different interpretations. There is never a straight path that leaves one with but a sole direction in which to head. Life is not about “the road not taken,” but rather about the paths one actually chose to follow.“Do not follow where the path may lead… Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” -Robert Frost Everyone is a traveler, choosing the roads to follow on the map of their continuous journey, life. Actually, the distances on both the paths were equal. He plans to tell a lie and say that he chose a less trodden path. The speaker believes that he will recall the circumstances surrounding this decision at some point in the foreseeable future. Lines 16-20 I shall be telling this with a sigh No matter where we go or how enticing or fulfilling our decisions are, we will never stop considering the “what ifs” of the past. This demonstrates the inherent nature of individuals, which is to always choose the path that appeals to us and holds our interest, even though both roads have an equal likelihood of bringing us to our desired destination. He had the impression that the path he took “wanted” to be travelled by him. Like any other person, he is trying to objectively evaluate the pros and cons of both decisions. This stanza captures the narrator’s uneasiness as he tries to convince himself that his choice is the best one for him. Lines 11-15 And both that morning equally lay However, he is quick to point out that the other road appeared to be just as frequented as the one he chose, proving that it was not as less used as he had initially believed. Lines 6-10 Then took the other, as just as fair,įinally making a choice, the narrator in “The Road Not Taken” goes along a path he feels is better because it appeared that few people had travelled it before. And like the narrator of “The Road Not Taken,” we frequently feel let down when we are unable to seize every opportunity that comes our way and bear the consequences. The poet claims that one of the numerous hardships people face in life is having to choose between various opportunities. This stanza’s opening lines highlight the dilemma of making a choice that every person must deal with on several occasions throughout their lives. Lines 1-5 Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, The speaker’s decision serves as a metaphor for the challenges and decisions that he will face in his life ahead. The speaker in “The Road Not Taken” describes having to decide between the possible paths in life. 29 January 1963 was the date of his death in Boston, Massachusetts. He was born in San Francisco, California, on March 26, 1874. Before being published in the United States, his work was first made available in England.
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