Frost 2
Frost 2Explication of “The Road Not Taken”
Robert Frost, a poet from the early Twentieth Century, is well known not only for his elegant style, but for his use of great symbolism throughout his works. In “The Road Not Taken”, he depicted his theme and meaning through a four stanza poem which consisted of a set rhyme scheme (A, B, A, A, B). This poem has left its readers with many different interpretations. 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. 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.
In the first stanza, the narrator says, “And sorry I could not travel both...” This quote is plainly explaining how difficult is it to make a decision because it is impossible not to wonder about the opportunity cost; what the decision maker will miss out on. 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. In an attempt to make a decision, the traveler “looks down one as far as I could”. The road that will be chosen leads to the unknown, as does any choice in life. As much as 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. It is the way that he chooses here that sets him off on his journey and decides where he is going.
“Then took the other, just as fair, and having perhaps the better claim.” This quote in the second stanza and what made it have the better claim was 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 and therefore he calls it “the road less traveled by.” The fact that the traveler took this path over the more popular, secure one indicates the type of personality he has; one that does not want to necessarily follow the crowd but do more of what has never been done and is different.
In the third stanza, the narrator...
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