Why Did Robert Frost Choose The Road Less Travelled

Antecedent of Robert Frost’s Poems

Robert Frost was an American poet who earned fame and honor with his poems. He wrote extensively on topics such as nature, death, and many more. His most popular works are the four poems “Mending Wall,” “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” “The Road Not Taken,” and “The Death of the Hired Man.” The two poems, “The Road Not Taken” and “The Death of The Hired Man,” will be analyzed to answer why Frost chose The Road Less Travelled in this article. It is worth noting that the road Frost chose was not been the popular route, rather it was the path less traveled.

Why the Road Less Traveled?

The two poems, “The Road Not Taken” and “The Death of The Hired Man,” present a dichotomy of perspectives of life. The former described Frost’s choice to take “the road less traveled by,” while the latter described Frost’s contempt towards the roads of life that others take by following the more popular path. It appears that Frost had a strong inclination of opting for the road less traveled by; taking the road less traveled by gives him the freedom of being unique and free from the social norms, away from the wagon of the majority.

From a psychological standpoint, Frost’s choice of the road less traveled by may hint at unconscious desires to be away from the laws of society. His fate of taking the road less traveled by was rooted in his subconscious feelings towards the social norms and laws. Moreover, Frost may have chosen the road less traveled by because of his views on life. Frost believed that life is uncertain and unpredictable, and it is through taking risks and uncertainties that one will be able to make a difference in their lives. Therefore, it is not surprising that Frost opted for the road less traveled by as it gives one the opportunity to explore the unknown and make their own choices.

Significance Of The Road Less Travelled

The significance of taking the road less traveled by is twofold. On one hand, it is a sign of courage and a refusal of traditional values and societal expectations. On the other, it is a sign of open-mindedness and a willingness to explore new ideas, beliefs, and ways of life. By taking the road less traveled by, Frost is sending a message to the public about the need for individuals to be independent thinkers and to be brave and take risks when it comes to making decisions.

Moreover, the road less traveled by represents independence from the social norms and faith in one’s own capability to make decisions. By taking the road less traveled by, Frost is asserting that one should take the initiative and take bold steps to investigate, try, and explore all available routes with little regard for their peers opinion or judgment. Ultimately, Frost is challenging individuals to be creative, courageous, and have faith in their own voice and decisions.

Analysis Of Discourse Of Robert Frost Poets

Discourse analysis of Frost’s poem reveals a continuous theme of conflicting perspectives and a desire to venture into the unknown and take risks. His diction of phrases such as “I took the one less traveled by,” and lines such as “for want of something better” reveals his motives of following the path less taken by, despite the potential dangers and lack of promise for a better success because of it.

Frost’s discourse is also heavily reliant on rhetorical devices such as metaphor, alliteration, and antithesis to emphasize his point. In the sentence “two roads diverged in a wood,” Frost utilizes metaphor to compare the decision of which way to travel in life to his choice of which road to take. Through his use of alliteration in saying “somewhere ages and ages hence” he attempts to draw attention to and emphasize his decision to take the road less traveled. Similarly, he utilizes antithesis to emphasize his decision to take the road less traveled by juxtaposing it with the more common road.

Analysis Of Narrative Of Robert Frost Poets

Frost’s narratives also help to explain why he chose the road less traveled by. He implies that the choice of the road less traveled by will cause less regrets than the more obvious path. He states “I doubted if I should ever come back” suggesting that if he took the more popular and mundane road, there would be no return, no option to make a different decision. Taking the road less traveled by indicates that if one is not satisfied with their decision they may have the chance to turn back and try again with a different decision.

Frost’s narrative also brings with it a sense of mystery and romance. He implies that the journey of taking the road less traveled is adventurous and full of unknown possibilities. The phrase “the woods are lovely, dark and deep” adds to this sense of mystery and adds a unique realism to his narrative as well. Furthermore, the poem brings together elements of nature, fate, and free will which also add to the notion of taking the road less traveled.

Importance Of Decision Making Of Robert Frost Poets

The importance of decision making in Frost’s poems may be connected to his own personal perspectives on life. Throughout his works, Frost often explores topics such as the fickleness of fate and the uncertain future. Frost’s decision to take the road less traveled by is likely a reflection of his own uncertainty of life and his decision to take risks in order to make a difference and make his life more meaningful.

At the same time, his decision to take the road less traveled by also serves as a reminder to readers of the importance of decision making in life. In particular, Frost encourages readers to make their own decisions in life, even if it means taking the less popular or less traveled route. Ultimately, Frost’s call for decision making is an attempt to free readers from the limits of conventionality and to pursue their dreams in life.

Symbolism Of The Road Less Travelled

The phrase “the road less traveled by” used in Frost’s poem has become a symbol for taking risks and making one’s own decisions in life. Through this phrase Frost is asserting that it is in taking the road less traveled by that one will find true happiness and fulfillment in life, instead of adhering to the demands of others. Therefore, being independent and brave enough to take a risk and take the road less traveled will open up opportunities that would’ve been missed if one chose the more conventional path.

The road less traveled by is a metaphor for aspiring towards something unique, away from the expectations of society. Frost encourages readers to take their own path and make their own decisions. He believes that taking the road less traveled by will give individuals the agency and opportunity to explore and make changes beyond the conventional expectations of society. It is through taking risks and exploring that Frost believes individuals will find true happiness and fulfillment in life.

Conclusion Of Robert Frost Life Journey

All in all, Frost’s decision to take the road less traveled by reflects his own personal views on life. He believed that life was uncertain and risky, and it was through taking risks that thebest results can be obtained. Likewise, Frost’s decision to take the road less traveled by serves as an example to readers of the importance of making their own decisions and taking their own risks. It is through risky decisions, according to Frost, that individuals will be able to hope for the best and find happiness by creating their own paths in life.

Dannah Hannah is an established poet and author who loves to write about the beauty and power of poetry. She has published several collections of her own works, as well as articles and reviews on poets she admires. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English, with a specialization in poetics, from the University of Toronto. Hannah was also a panelist for the 2017 Futurepoem book Poetry + Social Justice, which aimed to bring attention to activism through poetry. She lives in Toronto, Canada, where she continues to write and explore the depths of poetry and its influence on our lives.

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