The Road Not Taken
Poetry
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Robert Frost
The Road Not Taken Full Poem
The Road Not Taken
By Robert Frost (1874-1963)
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 a...
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The Road Not Taken Summary
Background
Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken” was written in 1915 and published in 1916 in his famous poetry collection Mountain Interval. He wrote this poem while living in England, during a period when he was deeply reflecting on the symbolic meanings of nature and life. The poem is mainly about human choices and their lasting effects. At that time, Frost was standing at an important turn...
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The Road Not Taken Theme
Themes
Choice: The main theme of this poem is the idea of choice in life. The poet describes a moment when he must choose between two roads. He knows that it is impossible to travel both at the same time, so he has to make a decision. This choice determines the direction and future of his life. The poet says, “I took the one less traveled by,” which means he chose a path that others had not ta...
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The Road Not Taken Literary Device
Symbols
The Two Roads: The two roads symbolize two different choices or opportunities in life. One road is easy and familiar, while the other is difficult and unknown. These roads represent life’s alternatives, where a person must choose only one. It shows that every decision in life opens the door to a new future.
The Yellow Wood: The “Yellow Wood” symbolizes the mature stage of life when a...
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The Road Not Taken Character
Characters
The Speaker (Poet or Narrator): The central character of the poem is the speaker, who stands at an important crossroads in life and chooses one of the two roads before him. Symbolically, he represents a person who reflects deeply on life’s decisions and wishes to create his own path. When he says, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— / I took the one less traveled by,” it reveals hi...
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The Road Not Taken Quotations
Quotes
“I took the one less traveled by, / And that has made all the difference.” (The Speaker – Symbolism)
Explanation: The poet describes his decision to take the path that fewer people had chosen. The “road less traveled by” is a powerful symbol of individuality, courage, and personal choice. It shows that true fulfilment comes from following one’s own path, not from copying others. The “diff...
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Notes
Explore 7 detailed notes related to The Road Not Taken. Each note provides in-depth analysis, explanations, and critical insights.