Human nature is to believe all individuals are unique, which is why “The Road Not Taken” is so commonly associated with praise for individuality. Robert Frost explores the process of decision making that is often faced throughout one’s life, comparing the choice to lead or follow the crowd to two paths. Although "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost is commonly understood as an optimistic look on individuality, a careful examination of the symbolism, meter, and imagery reveals it is really an in depth view on the way people deceive themselves when recalling the choices made throughout their lives.
The symbolism of the path represents difficult decisions made throughout one’s life.
Frost compares this process to “two roads diverged in a yellow wood, / and sorry I could not travel both” (Frost 1-2). Here, he is recalling a time when he had to make a decision between two “roads,” this symbolism is often interpreted as the ability to be a follower or a leader in everyday life, or in other words, choices. In another instance of symbolism Frost explains,“Though as for that the passing there / Had worn them really about the same.” (11-12). Frost is acknowledging that both paths, or choices, were equally taken, rather than creating an original experience. This decision making …show more content…
A quick glance at the poem leads readers to believe Frost is celebrating his choice, though further inspection provides insight into the reality of deciding which path to take. This is not to say there is no such thing as being unique, rather that people are quick to seek praise for following a path which only slightly strays from the norm. Frost is able to depict this using imagery, symbolism, and rhyme, beautifully combined into twenty lines of
The symbolism of the path represents difficult decisions made throughout one’s life.
Frost compares this process to “two roads diverged in a yellow wood, / and sorry I could not travel both” (Frost 1-2). Here, he is recalling a time when he had to make a decision between two “roads,” this symbolism is often interpreted as the ability to be a follower or a leader in everyday life, or in other words, choices. In another instance of symbolism Frost explains,“Though as for that the passing there / Had worn them really about the same.” (11-12). Frost is acknowledging that both paths, or choices, were equally taken, rather than creating an original experience. This decision making …show more content…
A quick glance at the poem leads readers to believe Frost is celebrating his choice, though further inspection provides insight into the reality of deciding which path to take. This is not to say there is no such thing as being unique, rather that people are quick to seek praise for following a path which only slightly strays from the norm. Frost is able to depict this using imagery, symbolism, and rhyme, beautifully combined into twenty lines of