Thesis: The poem is a message for the journey of life while the poet expresses the journey and its nuances through the use of various literary elements.
One has to take a note of the structure of this poem that is highly significant for the comprehension of this work.
The division of the poem into four distinct paragraphs
Every stanza is penned with the rhyme scheme of ‘ababc’
There are short sentences and the poet pours his heart out in the twenty lines that constitute this poetic work
The thematic content of this poem immediately connects with the readers as it speaks of aspirations, dreams and choices in one’s life.
The poet goes on to talk about the two roads that represent two distinct choices in life
One comes to realize that the poet went for the one that was less traversed
It needs to be taken into account that this is a poem about exploration of the avenues of life
Interestingly, the poet goes on to use literary elements of imagery and symbol all through the poem so as to accentuate the aesthetic charm and portray the content quintessentially to the readers.
One can understand the primary role of imagery in this rhythmic poem
One finds the mention of the divergence of the two roads in the wood
Thus, symbols and images encompass the poem and stir the hearts of the readers
Conclusion: Indeed, this poem can be described to be one of the finest works of art and aesthetics that reaches out to the readers with sheer charm and exquisiteness of expression.
The Road Not Taken
The poem, The Road Not Taken, can surely be deemed as one of the finest works in the history of literature. This poem by Robert Frost goes on to portray the aesthetic quintessence and literary appeal of the poet as he engages the avid readers of the piece with his exquisite expressions and content. A close introspection of this literary work would enable one and all to have a better idea about what the poet endeavors to communicate with his readers. This poem is crafted beautifully so as to exude the importance of choices in an individual’s life. The literary elements that have been used in this poem go on to accentuate the aesthetic quality and affective appeal of the poem. The poem is a message for the journey of life while the poet expresses the journey and its nuances through the use of various literary elements.
One has to take a note of the structure of this poem that is highly significant for the comprehension of this work. The division of the poem into four distinct paragraphs is contextual to the content of the poem. It has to be noted that this poem speaks of four different phases that are represented by the difference of the stanzas. Every stanza is penned with the rhyme scheme of ‘ababc.’ As such, it would be correct to opine that the rhythmic pattern and stanza division come together to accentuate the charm of this poem on the minds of the avid readers. The poet opts to pen his thoughts in short sentences and pours his heart out in the twenty lines that constitute this poetic work. However, the affective appeal of this poem echoes in the hearts of the readers who are only left to revel at the sheer quintessence of the poet.
The thematic content of this poem immediately connects with the readers as it speaks of aspirations, dreams and choices in one’s life. The poet goes on to talk about the two roads that represent two distinct choices in life. He talks of his choice as he writes, “And sorry I could not travel both / And be one traveler,” to show how he was left to choice either of the options in the course of the journey of life. (Frost, 1916) He goes on to describe how he opted for one road, thinking that it was the better option of the two. One comes to realize that the poet went for the one that was less traversed. It needs to be taken into account that this is a poem about exploration of the avenues of life. Indeed, the entire poem is about the journey of life and it shows the gradual transformation of the self and how choices define a person.
Interestingly, the poet goes on to use literary elements of imagery and symbol all through the poem so as to accentuate the aesthetic charm and portray the content quintessentially to the readers. The poem finds an inception with the description of the “yellow wood” where the two roads diverged. Then again, in the second stanza, he pens, “Then took the other, as just as fair, / And having perhaps the better claim, / Because it was grassy and wanted wear” so as to describe his choice in his life. (Frost, 1916) Thus, one can understand the primary role of imagery in this rhythmic poem penned by Frost. Now, it needs to be comprehended that the roads that have been explicated in the poem work as a symbol for the choices of life. By discussing about the road less traversed by people, the poet wants his readers to comprehend that he has taken the option that is less taken by people in general. As such, one finds the mention of the divergence of the two roads in the wood that signifies the stage of life where one needs to take such big decisions so as to move forward in life. Thus, symbols and images encompass the poem and stir the hearts of the readers.
The poet ends this beautiful poem with the couplet, “I took the one less traveled by, / And that has made all the difference.” (Frost, 1916) This shows how his decision in life has made all the difference and has played an instrumental part in shaping his identity and self. It would be correct to conclude that this poem delves deep into the core of the human mind so as to bring out the unadulterated emotions and feelings one an individual about life, its intricacies and the major decisions that shape one’s future prospects. One is only left to be in awe of the beauty of expression of the poet via the use of imagery and symbols. The rhyme scheme and the presentation add the dash of perfection to the entire artistic work. Indeed, this poem can be described to be one of the finest works of art and aesthetics that reaches out to the readers with sheer charm and exquisiteness of expression.
References
Frost, Robert. (1916). The Road Not Taken. Baltimore: Henry Holt.
