Metaphor and Meanings of Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken”

In “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost, the poem’s author lays out a parable that describes the process of making life’s difficult decisions. The persona (or speaker) in the poem depicts a place where he or she is all alone, in a place that has two directions that must be decided upon.

In the first stanza the persona contemplates a choice, evidenced by the image of standing alone where two roads diverge (drift apart), and regretting that “I could not take both” (2). The use of the words yellow wood in the first line gives the reader a sense that the end of a season is at hand, which also brings about some sense of urgency (it will be colder soon). After examining the first road quite closely and thoroughly, the persona abruptly decides on the second road after little consideration. This is found in the second stanza, “Then took the other, as just as fair,” (6).

Once the choice is made the speaker appears to be trying to convince himself that he has made the correct choice. The reader will find evidence of this in “And having perhaps the better claim, /

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;” (7-8) Upon closer evaluation of these passages the reader comes to understand that “grassy” represents growth, and “wear” represents hard work.. Next the two roads are compared again “Though as for that, the passing there / Had worn them really about the same” (9-10). This leads the reader to understand that although one road is obviously less taken (because grass does on grow on a busy path) they have been worn about the same. The reader may ascertain that this is due to the heavy burden carried by those who chose the road less taken.

In the third stanza the roads are described as being more or less equal “And both that morning equally lay / In leaves no step had trodden black.” (11-12). This depiction also reveals that there has been no recent traveler down these paths, to give the persona a clue regarding the proper choice (the leaves are undisturbed). In the lines that follow the persona (half heartedly) lies to himself by suggesting that he will go down the other road at a later date.

In the last stanza the persona appears to be a bit disappointed with his choice, “I shall be telling this with a sigh” (16). The sigh makes the reader get a sense of some feeling of sadness, but it is more likely just nostalgia that the persona is trying to convey. The persona imagines years in the future, in another place, telling the story of the “Two roads” (18) and taking the one less traveled. The choice of words in the last line suggest that the persona will someday be pleased with his decision (although he may not be right now), “And that has made all the difference.” (20). The solitary nature of this process is further punctuated by the repetition of I, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— / I took the one less traveled by,”.

Frost’s poem describes the process of making major life decisions and inspires the reader to take the road less taken by presenting the possibility that it could make all the difference.

Originally Written October 22, 2010