Poetry Essay Assignment Andrew R. Hernandez Liberty University English 102 Professor Angela O’ Neal 20 February 2023 MLA Thesis/Outline Thesis Statement: Robert Frost uses a variety of literary devices in "The Road Not Taken" to portray a lesson about the importance of decision-making and the consequences of our choices. I. Imagery A. The yellow wood B. The Undergrowth C. The diverging paths II. Metaphor A. The paths as life choices B. The speaker’s choice as a fork in the road III. Symbolism A. The two paths as symbols of life choices B. The road less traveled symbolizes independence IV. Repetition A. "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood B. The repetition of the word “I” V. Tone A. Reflective and Contemplative B. Poignant C. Satisfied and regretful VI. Conclusion A. Robert Frost uses multiple literary devices in “The road not taken”, to teach a lesson about decision-making and the lasting effects of our choices. Poetry Essay "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost is a famous poem that opens with a scene where the speaker is at a crossroads. The speaker must choose between two paths without knowing what lies at either end. After studying both paths, the speaker takes the less traveled one. The poem's final line states, "And that has made all the difference," allowing the reader to infer that the path chosen by the speaker had forever changed his life. Through this poem, Frost demonstrates the importance of decision-making and the consequences of our choices. He portrays this message through the use of various literary devices. One of these literary devices used by Frost is vivid imagery. Frost uses imagery to describe the two paths that the speaker encounters in the "yellow wood" (Frost, line 1). He creates a mental image of the shrubs covering the paths and the bend where one route appears less traveled. His vivid imagery gives the reader a sense of place and allows them to visualize themselves at the crossroads, determining which path to take. The imagery in the poem puts the reader in the speaker's shoes, making them feel like they, too, are at a crossroads in their life. Another literary device Frost utilizes in the poem is a metaphor. The poem can be interpreted as a metaphor for the choices we must make in life and the paths we choose to follow. Furthermore, this ties into symbolism as the two paths symbolize our various choices. The speaker's decision to take the less traveled path encourages readers to take risks and follow a less ordinary path in life. By including a metaphor and symbolism, Frost introduces the theme of decision-making in a relatable way. Repetition is another literary device that Frost uses to emphasize the importance of our choices in "The Road Not Taken." For instance, the phrase "two roads diverged in a yellow wood" (Frost, line 1) is repeated in the first and last stanzas. Furthermore, the word "I" is repeated six times throughout the poem, emphasizing that the speaker chose his path in life. This repetition reinforces the poem's central message, which is that the choices we make have a lasting impact on our lives and shape the person we become. Lastly, Frost uses tone in "The Road Not Taken" to convey his message about decisionmaking and the consequences of our choices. The reflective tone of the speaker suggests that the speaker is reflecting on a decision he made in the past and realizing the outcomes of that decision. However, there is also a sense of satisfaction and regret in the tone, suggesting that the speaker acknowledges that his decision had positive and negative consequences. Overall the poem's tone is poignant and thought-provoking, making the reader reflect on their own choices and their outcomes. In conclusion, "The Road Not Taken" is a short but relatable poem that explores the themes of decision-making and the consequences of our choices. Frost introduces literary devices such as imagery, metaphor, symbolism, repetition, and tone to convey his message about the importance of taking risks and following our own path. The poem continues to resonate with readers of all ages, inspiring them to reflect on their life's journey and chosen paths. Works Cited Frost, Robert. “The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost - Poems | Academy of American Poets.” Poets.org, Academy of American Poets, poets.org/poem/road-not-taken.
