Essay Comparing The Road Not Taken And When I Have Fears

Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” and John Keats’ “When I Have Fears” both contemplate similar life concerns but do so in separate ways. Both narrators use various literary devices to set the mood and illustrate the meaning of life conveyed by the literature. While one author looks forward with fear and the other looks back with content, both describe the deeper meaning behind the choices made throughout one’s lifetime. Keats arrives to the conclusion that death’s looming imminence may cut short the little time he has left to accomplish his life goals. Frost, comparatively, has a much more positive view about death as he is able to appreciate his life and the decisions he has made. Although the authors’ tones are at odds with one another, it can be concluded …show more content…
Frost’s “be one traveler” parallels Keats’ “of the wide world I stand alone” to create a feeling of seclusiveness that lasts over the course of both readings. This feeling causes the reader to infer that both characters have a yearning to relive the past and regain the time they’ve lost. Also, both authors integrate a sense of ambition in their lives. Although Frost does not directly refer to his aspirations as Keats does in his consistent use of similes to represent the potential of fame he sees in his future, Frost’ aspirations in life can be imagined with his use of symbolism in the roads he travels. When he reaches a point where they diverge in a yellow wood, he recognizes that one leads to a common lifestyle followed by many travelers before him, and the other leads to an unknown but potentially immensely rewarding outcome. After contemplating for a time, he decides to be individualistic and follow the path that could lead him to glory. This compares to Keats’ aspirations to become successful in his writing and hold the “full ripen’d grain” of his