Road Not Taken by Robert Frost Essay

Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

There is a copious amount of symbolism found within the poem by Robert Frost entitled "The Road Not Taken." An analysis of the imagery and the symbolism within this poem indicates that the subject of this poem is not really about a walk in the woods. Instead, a thorough analysis of the aforementioned literary conventions as well as the author's diction reveals that this poem is actually about longing, regret, and a touch of sorrow related to an unnamed, important life-changing decision.

The interpretation of this poem mentioned in the thesis in the introductory paragraph is largely based around the notion that the roads symbolize paths in life. Literally, the two roads that the narrator of this poem is looking at are divergent pathways in the woods. Figuratively, however, they symbolize the points of divergence that one's life takes after making life-altering decisions. This fact is evinced by the careful preponderance of the path that the narrator is contemplating tacking, in which he is described as "long I stood" (Frost) while reflecting on the path to take. The figurative gravity of the fact that these roads really symbolize life paths is also indicated by the fact that the narrator is "sorry" (Frost) he cannot choose both.

Another interesting facet of this poem is that the choice in roads that the narrator has to decide from is irrevocable.In life, one frequently encounters decisions in which one cannot re-choose or re-live again. Such decisions include a choice of wife, where to attend college, or even where to live. The irrevocable nature of the author's choice of roads is alluded to when he reflects that "I doubted if I should ever come back" (Frost). Such "doubt" is literally applied to whether he will take the other path, yet figuratively implies that some decisions are immutable.

Finally, the degree of melancholy which characterizes the author's tone in this poem indicates that it is really about a life-altering decision and not about a choice of direction in walking. Soon after making his decision about which road to take, the narrator reasons, "I shall be telling this with a sigh / Somewhere ages and ages hence" (Frost). The fact that the author will reflect on the decision he made about which road to take with a "sigh," alludes….....