The poem by Robert Frost and the modern day song by George Strait portray the alternative path of life which is chosen by very less people. The artistic expressions express the nature of the way which is chosen by such people and also explore the possibilities which await the individual who opts for the path which is less traversed by people. Both the works have touched the hearts of innumerable people across the globe with the quintessence. While Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken exudes his poetic wizardry in the stanzas of the poem, George Strait’s The Road Less Traveled has lyrics which touch the innermost core of the heart along with the exquisite melody of the song, both exploring the journey of life and the uncertainties which come with the decisions.
Robert Frost’s poem, The Road Not Taken, is one of the seminal literary works of the famous poet. It portrays the superfluous emotions of the heart and brings forth the truth of life. The poet views life as a journey which he has embarked upon. He pens, “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood / And sorry I could not travel both” (1-2). His personal dialogue attains universality as the poem becomes an omniscient truth for each and every individual across the world. The poet talks of the journey and the experiences. He puts the limelight on those defining moments of life when one is left with the choice of opting only one way. Such a situation leaves the person in a position where the decision he or she makes might turn out to be the root to the metamorphosis of life. At such a point of time, an individual would ponder about the situation and weigh the possible outcomes which could be reached.
The poet pens how he acted at such a juncture of his life. He pondered and finally chose to take the road which was “grassy and wanted wear” (8). This was the path which was not opted by many and hence the lush green remained. It was exuberance and anxiety in which he started treading on the road leaving behind the place where he could have opted for the other path. As he started walking, he had doubts in the core of his heart if he would ever come back. He knew very well that this choice would shape his future and the decision would define the person he would become.
The poet then goes on to envisage how he would be reminiscent of the day when he chose his path to the future. He writes, “I took the one less traveled by, / And that has made all the difference.” (19-20) It is quite an irony that he says that he would remember the event with a “sigh” after years. He would then know that it is this pivotal decision which has shaped his life.
The poem delves deep into the psyche of the individual when he or she is faced with a situation where a decision needs to be taken. Such a decision would bring irreversible alterations in the journey of life and may very well turn out to be wrong. However, the undaunted heart should tread on the path which seems to appeal the most. It is the choices which define people and the poem is a quintessential expression of the paramount importance of these choices which people make. At a ripe old age, an individual would look back at his life and know that it was such a defining moment which took him or her to the destiny of life. Man makes his own destiny and the choices made are the ones which are most important in life.
George Strait’s song portrays the journey of life as a road which has many experiences and events in store for the individual. This road in context is not a straight road and the curves in the path have challenges stored for the person traversing. The song goes on to say that this path is for the intrepid soul who has the grit to overcome every odd which might come in the journey of life. The lyrics portray the content perfectly as the song goes on to declare that “Goin's rough unlike the straight and narrow / It’s for those who go against the grain”. This road where the brunt of fate is stored for the individual is obviously less travelled by people.
The song enters the second stanza to declare that this road is not for the ones who have a weak heart. The people who want to have a secured life cannot walk on this path as it takes a lot of valor and ambition to embark upon the journey en route this way. The path is appropriate for a person who wishes to leave his mark in the world and achieve great heights in life. The lyrics declare, “I want to live my life and one day leave my mark”. The journey to success and happiness does not come that easy and life tests the individual with its impediments which are to be overcome.
This path is chosen by few who have the strength of heart to embrace the uncertainties of life and leave behind all the inhibitions. This journey will not be a piece of cake, but might lead one to the paramount position in life which would be far better than the drudgeries and blandness of a secured life which impedes the free spirit of heart and bounds one with the shackles of fear and weakness. The person who is ready to walk this less travelled road would require having resilience and exude endurance at every impediment which might come in the course of the journey. This pursuit is simply not for “the faint of heart”.
Thus, both of the works of art touch the hearts of the reader or listener and make one wonder of the pivotal decisions which could shape the life like never before. The works attain universality and explore the psyche of the individual as he or she is triggered by the situation of life to take major decisions. Both talk of the uncertainties which lie ahead and also exude the exuberance of heart and courage which is required to stand out amongst the crowd and endeavor to achieve something great in life.
Works Cited
Frost, Robert. The Road Not Taken: A Selection of Robert Frost’s Poems. New York City: Henry
Holt and Company, 2002. Print.
Fagan, Deirdre. Critical Companion to Robert Frost: A Literary Reference to His Life and Work.
New York: Infobase Publishing, 2007. Print.
Strait, George. “The Road Less Traveled.” The Road Less Traveled. MCA, 2001, CD.
