the road not taken

The Road Not Taken
by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

In The Road Not Taken, Robert Frost utilizes figurative language to convey his message. He urges readers to discover the undiscovered and be unique to themselves. The frst stanza basically provides the setting. However, things start to get interesting in the second stanza. Frost comments that the other road “was grassy and wanted wear”. Opportunity lies awaiting for the wary “traveler”, yet in a way both roads were “really about the same”. Frost implies that although they different paths, both require the same amount of hard work and dedication to succeed.

In the second stanza, Frost seemingly contradicts himself once again by keeping “the first for another day” but doubting if he should “ever come back”. His language alludes to the profound decision that the read must make. A decision that cannot be reversed.

Lastly, the final stanza ends on a confusing note. The reader is not able to discern if “the difference” by taking the “less traveled” road is positive or negative. Furthermore, his “sigh” can represent relief as well as regret.