The Road Not Taken

In the poem "The Road Not Taken," Robert Frost presents a look at the choices a person has in his or her life, how he or she may arrive to a conclusion, and how that conclusion will affect life in the future whether it be in a small, indirect way or rather in a more extraordinary direction. Throughout the years, this poem has transcended through time and is continually having an impact on people today. Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken," though frequently misinterpreted, expresses the weight and importance of decision-making through his use of metaphors, specific tone, and arduous conflict.

Frost's frequent use of metaphors accentuates the dilemmas in his life and easily relates to dilemmas in the lives of his readers. People will very often relate well with this poem when they imagine and evaluate the meaning of "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood / And sorry I could not travel both" because it allows them to recall a time in their lives when, like Frost, they were forced to make a decision between two perfectly, good and desirable options (Frost line 1-2). However, many people misunderstand the "roads" in this poem as being two completely, opposite paths. They consider one to be the more blissful and easier road to travel, then believe the other to be more difficult and dangerous when that is simply not the case. Frost states, "Because it was grassy and wanted wear / Though as for that, the passing there / Had worn them really about the same" (line 8-10). This statement is misunderstood and overlooked commonly, because people rarely see their options as being "about the same" (Frost line 10). In some instances, perhaps they are not, but a couple of questions people oftentimes forget to ask themselves is, "In what ways are these opportunities similar? Would they ultimately have the same outcome in that they both would provide happiness, despite what it would take to obtain it?" People will always want to look for the easiest road rather than the more strenuous while in their pursuit for happiness, which is what this poem is believed to construe. However, Frost depicts that both of these roads were nearly identical, therefore making the decision that much more difficult to attain.

This poem is often misinterpreted as having an inspiring and uplifting tone; however, when read accurately, the depression and sorrow Frost intended can be identified undoubtedly. Frost communicates to his readers through his tone, not the usual, generic meaning that his readers so often deem to be true, but rather the grief that he experienced when contemplating his decision. For instance, when listening to the tone of these particular lines, "And be[ing] one traveler, long I stood / And looked down one [road] as far as I could / To where it bent in the undergrowth," the reader should be able to understand and relate to the remorse of not being able to choose both paths as well as the anxiety of not knowing where each road will lead him or her if taken (Frost line 3-5). The poem is called "The Road Not Taken" for a reason; it shows the regret and remorse directly within the title. Frost conveys later within the poem a certain dread that a great amount of people would most likely undergo if they were placed in this situation by stating, "I shall be telling this with a sigh / Somewhere ages and ages hence" (line 16-17). These specific lines reveal to Frost's readers the dread he feels when looking ahead to his future and also the regret he believes he could