The Road Not Taken Robert Frost

The Road Not TakenRobert Frost Mr. Reetz English Concepts

Robert Frost • 1874-1963 – born in San Francisco • Studied at Harvard • poems show deep appreciation of natural world • His images - woods, stars, houses, brooks, - are usually taken from everyday life.

The Road Not Taken • Published first in 1916, just after his return from Britain • Title is often misremembered as “The Road Less Traveled” • Often Frost’s intent in writing the poem is misguided as well

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,And sorry I could not travel bothAnd be one traveler, Takes place in Autumn A fork appeared in the road and I had trouble deciding which path to choose I am but one man, and so I cannot take both paths The Road NOT Taken

long I stoodAnd looked down one as far as I couldTo where it bent in the undergrowth; He paused a long while, taking his time to truly consider which path might suit his interests best This is a difficult choice for him – he doesn’t want to be wrong – the doesn’t want to have regrets. The Road NOT Taken

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 thereHad worn them really about the same, He decides he’ll take the path that appears less traveled – the one that is more “grassy” indicating less wear He acknowledges though, that both paths are worn about the same The Road NOT Taken

And both that morning equally layIn leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day!Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. In fact, neither looked as though they’d been traveled at all that day For a quick second he thinks he’ll come back another day, but then is honest and admits it is unlikely that he’ll follow through… REGRET! what if he made the wrong choice?? The Road NOT Taken

I shall be telling this with a sighSomewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by,And that has made all the difference. Even though I know the paths are equal, years from now I’ll say I took the one less traveled by and it has made all the difference This poem is not about the road less traveled though– it’s about the ROAD not taken The Road NOT Taken

The Road Not Taken Robert Frost