Why does the speaker stop near the woods? Ans: To watch the snow falling.

Who is with the speaker? Ans: His little horse.

What does the horse do to show surprise? Ans: It shakes its harness bells.

Why does the horse feel confused? Ans: Because they stopped near a lonely, cold forest in the evening, far from any farmhouse.

What sound does the speaker hear besides the bells? Ans: The sound of the wind and falling snow.

What kind of evening is it? Ans: The darkest evening of the year.

How does the poet describe the woods? Ans: Lovely, dark, and deep.

Why can’t the speaker stay in the woods? Ans: Because he has promises to keep.

What does the word “sleep” in the last line mean? Ans: It means final rest or death.

What do the repeated last two lines show? Ans: His long journey and responsibilities.

What is the rhyme scheme of the poem? Ans: AABA BBCB CCDC DDDD

How many stanzas are in the poem? Ans: Four stanzas.

What does the snow symbolize? Ans: Peace and silence.

What do the woods symbolize? Ans: Beauty, rest, escape from life’s duties, and also death.

What do “promises” symbolize? Ans: Responsibilities in life.

What does “miles to go” symbolize? Ans: More work and duties before the end of life.

What does the horse symbolize?

Ans: The speaker’s common sense or sense of reason.

Why is the horse important in the poem? Ans: The horse brings the speaker back to reality. It reminds the speaker of his promises and duties.

Why is the poem very popular? Ans: Because it is simple, musical, and full of meaning.