This study guide is written for students and teachers of English Literature, particularly those studying CCEA’s GCSE English Literature Identity Anthology. For more study guides from this anthology, check out the list of poems in the series at the bottom of this guide.
The Road Not Taken
What is 'The Road Not Taken' all about?
Summary of stanza 1
The speaker describes a countryside walk with a friend (read more about this friend in the context section below). The description ‘yellow’ suggests an autumnal walk. When he meets a fork in the road, the speaker spends a long time trying to select a path. He even wishes he could travel both before making a decision as to which would be better.
Summary of stanza 2
The speaker decides to take one of the paths over the other as the grass looks less worn. On reflection, however, he makes the observation that both paths are equally worn. In this way, the implication is that there was no logic to the decision, simply a whim or a gut feeling.
Summary of stanza 3
In stanza three, the speaker makes a mental decision to come back another day to try the other path. However, he then goes on to acknowledge that this is unlikely to ever happen. ‘Way leads on to way’ tells us that the choices quickly take us far from the original choice, and life will not bring him back to this decision again. At this point in stanza three, the metaphor of the road as life’s choices becomes clear.
Summary of stanza 4
The poem ends with a look ahead to the recounting of this moment in time. The speaker imagines telling this story years from now ‘with a sigh’ and the conclusion that this one choice, to take the less travelled path, has ‘made all the difference’ to his life.
Context of 'The Road Not Taken'
Robert Frost's life and education
Robert Frost, born on March 26, 1874, in San Francisco, California, is regarded as one of America’s most iconic poets. He spent much of his early life in rural New England, which deeply influenced his poetry. Despite not completing a formal education, Frost was a voracious reader and largely self-educated. He attended Dartmouth College but left, later stating “I wasn’t suited for that place.” In addition, he attended Harvard University for a brief period in 1897 but left without a degree, choosing instead to support his family.
Frost experienced personal tragedy, losing his father when he was just eleven years old and his mother when he was twenty-six. In 1895, he married Elinor Miriam White, and they had six children, two of whom died in infancy. These family joys and sorrows profoundly influenced his poetry.
Frost's career
Frost’s poems, such as “The Road Not Taken,” “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” and “Mending Wall,” have become classics in American literature. He received four Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry during his career and served as the U.S. Poet Laureate.
Context of 'The Road Not Taken': Frost's Friendship with Edward Thomas
Who is Edward Thomas?
Edward Thomas (1878-1917) was a British poet, essayist, and literary critic who is known for his contributions to early 20th-century English poetry. Before he turned to poetry, he was primarily a prose writer and a well-regarded literary critic.
Thomas gained prominence as a literary reviewer, and in this capacity, Frost sought his help in reviewing ‘North of Boston’, Frost’s first poetry collection. Frost travelled with his family to England and struck up a friendship with Thomas which became much more significant than a work-related friendship. It became a long-lasting friendship of like-minded souls. Frost referred to Thomas as ‘the only brother I ever had.’
Thomas and Frost shared a love of nature and poetry and talked for hours on long walks in the English countryside. Along with another famous poet Eleanor Farjeon, Frost is believed to have encouraged Thomas to pursue his passion for poetry through writing in addition to reviewing.
You can click these links to read more about Frost’s friendship with Thomas, letters between the Frosts and Edward’s wife Helen Thomas and the story of the poem ‘The Road Not Taken’.
Thomas and 'The Road Not Taken'
In 1915, having returned to New England, Frost penned ‘The Road Not Taken’ and sent it to Thomas. The original plan between the friends was that Thomas should follow Frost to the US, but with the outbreak of war, travel became unsafe. Thomas was also plagued by a reluctant desire to do his duty and enlist to fight.
Frost’s poem is a playful attack on his very good friend’s tendency to be indecisive, but to claim certainty in hindsight. The story goes that Thomas read the poem with more sense of reproach than the playfulness that Frost had intended. Soon after receiving the poem, Thomas decided to enlist. Tragically, Thomas was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Arras in northern France on 9th April 1917. Fellow poet and close friend Eleanor Farjeon’s friendship with Thomas was so profound that she wrote her poem Easter Monday (In Memoriam E.T.) (1917) on hearing of Thomas’ death. Both Farjeon and Frost continued strong friendships with Helen Thomas long after Edward’s death.
Line-by-line analysis
Stanza 1
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
- Imagery: “yellow wood” creates a vivid visual image, setting the scene in a forest during autumn.
- Metaphor: “roads” as choices in life.
And sorry I could not travel both
- Personal pronoun: “I” emphasises the speaker’s personal experience.
- Irony: The speaker expresses regret at not being able to choose both paths.
The speaker expresses a sense of regret and longing, emphasising the difficulty of making choices when both options seem appealing.
And be one traveler, long I stood
- Repetition: “And” emphasises the sequence of events.
- Imagery: “stood” suggests a moment of contemplation and indecision, or paralysis due to indecision.
The speaker pauses and reflects on the decision, emphasising the weight and significance of the choice.
And looked down one as far as I could
- Imagery: “looked down” creates a visual image of the speaker examining one of the paths.
The speaker examines one of the paths, suggesting a careful and thoughtful evaluation of one of the choices.
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
- Imagery: “bent in the undergrowth” describes the path’s physical characteristics.
The path appears to curve and disappear into the undergrowth, signifying uncertainty and the unknown. Nature, and the natural order of life, does not allow someone to see into the future.
Stanza 2
Then took the other, as just as fair,
- Alliteration: “Then took the other” uses the repetition of the “t” and “th” sounds.
- Simile: “as just as fair” compares the two paths.
The speaker decides to choose the other path, suggesting a sense of spontaneity and a desire for exploration. The paths are described as equally attractive.
And having perhaps the better claim,
- Assonance: “perhaps the better claim” repeats the “e” sound.
The speaker suggests that the chosen path may have a slight advantage or be slightly more appealing for some reason. The inclusion of the qualifier ‘perhaps’ highlights the ambiguity built into the poem.
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
- Personification: “wanted wear” attributes a desire to the path.
- Imagery: “grassy” describes the path’s physical characteristics.
The chosen path is described as less traveled and in need of more foot traffic, possibly symbolising the speaker’s desire for uniqueness and individuality.
Though as for that the passing there
- Concession: “Though” introduces a contrasting idea.
The speaker acknowledges that, in reality, both paths had been worn about the same by those who had passed through, negating the previous assessment that one was less travelled by. The concession ‘though’ adds to the uncertain and conversational tone which is present throughout.
Had worn them really about the same,
- Repetition: “them” refers to the paths, emphasising their similarity.
The speaker reiterates that both paths were essentially equal in terms of wear and use, suggesting that choices may not always be as significant as they seem. This also casts doubt on the conclusion of the poem, in which the choice to travel a less trodden path has made all the difference: the speaker freely admits that there is no noticeable difference between the two paths!
Stanza 3
And both that morning equally lay
- Repetition: “both” emphasises the duality of the paths.
The speaker emphasises that both paths were available and untraveled that morning, further underscoring their equal nature.
In leaves no step had trodden black.
- Imagery: “leaves no step had trodden black” paints a visual image of untouched leaves.
The paths were covered with leaves, and no one had walked on them to the point of turning them black. This image highlights their freshness and unexplored potential. Perhaps the speaker is even more hesitant to make a decision on such a fresh and unspoiled path (future).
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
- Exclamation: “Oh” along with the punctuation at the end of the line, expresses the speaker’s enthusiastic realisation or decision.
- Conversational tone: “Oh” adds to the sense of narrative and conversational tone. This is supported by the line 16 idea that he will recount this tale in the future, that this is a significant moment in his life.
The speaker decides to save the other path for a future occasion, suggesting that they might return to it later in life, though the uncertainty of such a return is acknowledged.
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
- Caesura: “Yet” introduces a pause.
The speaker reflects on the nature of choices and the unpredictable way in which one decision can lead to others, potentially preventing a return to the unchosen path.
I doubted if I should ever come back.
- Personal pronoun: “I” emphasises the speaker’s uncertainty and doubt, as well as the lyrical, personal nature of the poem.
The speaker expresses doubt about whether they will indeed have the opportunity to revisit the unchosen path, underscoring the irreversible nature of some choices.
Stanza 4
I shall be telling this with a sigh
- Imagery: “telling this with a sigh” suggests the speaker recounting the story with a sense of regret or nostalgia.
The speaker anticipates sharing the story of this decision with a sigh, indicating that it will be remembered with a mixture of emotions. Sighs are often associated with exasperation, but could also suggest peace and satisfaction. The ambiguous nature of this sigh makes the poem tricky to interpret.
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
- Repetition: “ages and ages” emphasises the passage of time.
The speaker imagines recounting this experience far in the future, highlighting the enduring impact of the choice.
Two road diverged in a wood, and I -
- Repetition: “Two roads” echoes the opening line.
The poem concludes by revisiting the initial image of the two diverging paths, emphasising the theme of choices and the significance of the one the speaker took. The pause created by the hyphen adds a sense of grandeur to the decision made, as if it were always under control and not the spontaneous decision it may have seemed in verse two.
I took the one less traveled by,
- Repetition: “I took the one” mirrors the earlier line.
The speaker reaffirms their choice to take the less-traveled path, emphasising their individuality and willingness to follow their own path. The description of this road as ‘less-traveled’ negates the previous comment that they were ‘equally’ worn and ‘about the same’. The subtle humour of the speakers own contradictions within this poem suggests there is a light-hearted nature at play, and that perhaps this poem should not be taken too seriously.
And that has made all the difference.
- Repetition: “And that” mirrors earlier lines.
The poem ends with a powerful assertion that the choice to take the less-traveled path has had a significant and lasting impact on the speaker’s life, suggesting that the path chosen has indeed made a difference.
Analysis of themes in 'The Road Not Taken' by Robert Frost
This poem is interpreted in many, often opposing, ways. The ambiguity of the meaning lends itself to differences of opinion. There are some important themes to consider in order to draw out meaning and analysis and to decide for yourself the meaning you think is most accurate.
Choices and Regret:
The poem explores the idea of making choices in life and the potential regrets that can accompany those choices. The speaker is faced with a decision, symbolised by two diverging paths. They express regret at not being able to take both paths, a feeling many people can relate to. This theme invites readers to reflect on their own life choices and the roads they have taken.
Individualism:
The poem celebrates individualism and the idea of forging one’s unique path. The speaker chooses the less-travelled road, emphasising their desire to be distinct from others. This decision reflects a desire for independence and a willingness to go against the norm. The speaker also seems to celebrate this individualism by imagining themself regaling others with the story in future years. While the final line (‘And that has made all the difference’) is neither a positive nor a negative outcome, the celebration of having made a good choice seems evident in the firm repetition of ‘I – I took the one less travelled by’.
Uncertainty:
The poem highlights the uncertainty of life and the unforeseen consequences of our decisions. The speaker admits that they cannot predict the future and doubts whether they will ever return to the other path. This reflects the unpredictable nature of life’s journey. In addition, the speaker admits that while the initially perceived one path to be less worn, in reality, there was not much between the two paths. This emphasises the uncertainty in the decision making process as well as in the outcomes of these choices.
Irony:
There is a sense of irony in the poem. While the speaker claims that taking the less-travelled path has made all the difference, the reality is that both paths were likely equally valid choices. The speaker’s retrospective analysis imbues their choice with significance that it may not have had at the time. In addition, the phrase ‘with a sigh’ implies that the speaker is making more of the decision that it truly deserves.
Narrative and Memory:
The poem explores the act of storytelling and how we shape our life’s narrative through the stories we tell about our choices. The speaker anticipates telling the story of their choice ‘with a sigh’, suggesting that they will frame it as a pivotal moment in their life.
Critique of Conformity:
Some interpretations suggest that the poem is a critique of societal pressure and conformity. The speaker rejects the well-trodden path and chooses the one less travelled to assert their individuality and resistance to conformity. This interpretation doesn’t sit well with the previous analysis of irony, where it is apparent that both paths were equally worn.
To sum up, the poem is ambiguous: is the speaker suggesting that he made a good choice based on informed observations? And indeed, that that has made the difference to his life? Or perhaps he is suggesting that a random choice made a long time before has had a significant impact. It is also unclear whether the speaker perceives this difference to be a positive difference or a negative one.
Analysis of form and structure
Verse structure
“The Road Not Taken” is a narrative poem consisting of four quintains (verses with five lines each). The versification is regular, perhaps reflecting the reflective tone and organised thinking of the speaker.
Rhythm
The rhythm is regular, with four stressed syllables per line, creating an iambic tetrameter rhythm, although there are some variations to this rhythm.
Rhyme
The rhyme scheme is ABAAB repeating consistently in each stanza. This regular rhyme scheme reflects the universal nature of choice and decisions: these are shared experiences, common to all. The regularity also places focus on two sounds in each stanza: the A sound and the B sound. This duality of rhyme in each stanza perhaps reflects the two options presented by the two roads.
Quiz on 'The Road Not Taken'
The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost
Test your knowledge of the poem 'The Road Not Taken' by Robert Frost
Comprehension Questions on 'The Road Not Taken' by Robert Frost
- What is the central theme of “The Road Not Taken”?
- How does the speaker describe the two roads he encounters in the woods?
- What emotions does the speaker express regarding his decision in the poem?
- How does the speaker feel about the road he ultimately chooses?
- What does the speaker mean by the phrase “And that has made all the difference” in the final stanza?
- What do you think the two roads symbolise in the poem?
- Do you believe the speaker regrets his decision? Why or why not?
- How does the poem’s title relate to its central message?
- How does Robert Frost use imagery and metaphor to convey the poem’s themes and emotions?
- Which other poem from the CCEA Identity Anthology would you choose to write about, and why, as a comparison to ‘The Road Not Taken’?
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I Remember, I Remember reflects on childhood memories and the passage of time. Frost’s poem emphasises the significance of choices in life’s journey. You could compare how both poems address the theme of memory and retelling stories of the past and its impact on identity. Both poems create a conversational tone and are autobiographical. There is plenty to contrast in the two poems’ form, structure and language.
Other ThinkLit study guides in the Identity anthology:
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