Common Language In The Road Not Taken, By Robert Frost

Robert Frost, American poet, and four-time Pulitzer Prize winner, is highly regarded for his portrayal of rural New England life through the use of common language. As one of the more modern poets, he connected with his readers through relevant situations and social problems that the everyday 18th and 19th century man could relate to. These aspects make his poems still resonate with readers even in today’s changing world. Although Frost’s writing style is not as complex as some poets, his poems do not blatantly disclose the meaning and purpose, but rather invite the reader to ponder and develop their unique understanding and interpretation of the world he creates. Robert Frost discusses journeys through nature that lead to uncertainty, fear, …show more content…
Although the poems bear some differences in theme and meaning, they both discuss aspects of life and nature through the use of many literary devices such as: metaphor, diction, and repetition.
“The Road Not Taken” is perhaps one of Frost’s most well known poems, as many readers find it interesting and relatable. Throughout his poem Frost uses many techniques to discuss life choices, self-discovery through nature, and fear. The poem begins with a traveler or wanderer in the woods who has come across two roads. As it is evident that the speaker …show more content…
Throughout “The Road Not Taken”, Frost repetitively inserts the word “and” and “I” for two different reasons. The word “and” is mostly placed at the beginning of the sentences which slows and connects the lines, much like intertwining paths. This repetition also provides rhythm to compliment the “babba” rhyme scheme. One will find that the poem reads very effortlessly due to the way Frost uses eight, nine, or ten syllables a line. Each line is about the same length and all four stanzas contain 5 lines. Although these miniscule details seem to be of no importance, they highlight the idea of a continuous path and a long journey. The focus on the word “I” emphasizes the fact that the speaker is alone in the woods and has to rely on no one else for advice. This repetition expresses the idea of individualism and self- discovery by concentrating on who is “traveling, choosing, and doubting.” Frost’s selective word choice throughout this poem sheds light on certain aspects of the story he is telling. In the first stanza, Frost writes that one of the roads is “bent in the undergrowth”. The words “bent” and “undergrowth” connote that this path is eerie or unusual. Relating this to the overall metaphor of the poem, this “bent” pathway may symbolize an immoral decision or way of life. By looking down the path as far as possible, the speaker is in fact trying