Appreciating Poetry
Read the following poem and do the activities that follow.
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
a) Answer the following questions.
i. What do the two roads represent in the poem?
ii. How does the poet use metaphors to describe life choices?
iii. What is the significance of the speaker choosing the road "less traveled by"?
iv. How does the poem reflect the theme of regret or uncertainty?
v. What message does the poem convey about decision-making in life?
b) Identify 3 metaphors and 3 similes used in the poem. Then explain the purpose of their uses.
c) Read the poem again and express your feelings.
a) Answer the following questions.
i. What do the two roads represent in the poem?
The two roads represent different choices or paths in life. The speaker stands at a crossroads, having to choose between two directions, symbolizing the decisions we all face at various points in our lives. The roads are metaphors for these choices and the unknown consequences that follow.
ii. How does the poet use metaphors to describe life choices?
The poet uses the roads as metaphors for life choices. Just as the speaker must choose between two physical paths, the poem suggests that we must also choose between different directions in life. The act of choosing one road over the other represents making decisions that shape our future, and the uncertainty that comes with not knowing where each path might lead.
iii. What is the significance of the speaker choosing the road "less traveled by"?
The speaker's choice of the "road less traveled by" symbolizes an unconventional or unique decision in life. It suggests that the speaker chose a path that not many others had taken, which made a significant impact on their life. This decision is presented as having made "all the difference," suggesting that taking risks or making less common choices can lead to meaningful outcomes.
iv. How does the poem reflect the theme of regret or uncertainty?
The poem reflects regret and uncertainty in the way the speaker wonders what might have happened if they had taken the other road. Although the speaker tries to justify their choice, the repeated focus on the path not taken and the acknowledgment that they may never return to that crossroads shows that there is always a sense of "what if" when making decisions. This uncertainty is a natural part of life.
v. What message does the poem convey about decision-making in life?
The poem conveys the message that life is full of choices, and we must make decisions even though we may never know what could have happened if we had chosen differently. The poem suggests that while choices can shape our lives in important ways, we must accept that we cannot go back and change them. The act of choosing itself is what defines our path in life.
b) Identify 3 metaphors and 3 similes used in the poem. Then explain the purpose of their uses.
1. "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood" – The two roads are metaphors for life choices or different paths in life.
2. "I took the one less traveled by" – The road less traveled is a metaphor for an unconventional or risky life choice.
3. "Way leads on to way" – This metaphor suggests how one choice in life leads to another, forming a continuous chain of decisions.
1. "As just as fair" – This simile compares the two roads, suggesting they look equally appealing, symbolizing how life choices can seem similar at times.
2. "As for that the passing there / Had worn them really about the same" – This simile further compares the roads, emphasizing that both choices are worn and have been traveled, showing how it’s difficult to know which path is better.
3. "Like two diverging ways" – Though not explicitly stated, the image of diverging roads can be seen as a simile for how decisions in life split off into different directions.
The metaphors and similes help the reader understand that the poem is not just about physical roads but about life choices. The roads stand in for decisions, and comparing them to each other shows how hard it can be to decide which path to take in life. These figures of speech add depth to the poem’s exploration of decision-making and the uncertainty that comes with it. By comparing the roads to life choices, Frost shows how our decisions can shape our future in ways we might not expect.
c) Read the poem again and express your feelings.
Reading this poem made me reflect on my own life choices and the moments when I had to make difficult decisions. The idea of standing at a crossroads, unsure which path to take, is something I think many people can relate to. The speaker’s choice of the "road less traveled by" made me think about the times when I’ve chosen a less common path in life, and how those choices have shaped who I am.
The poem also made me feel a sense of uncertainty because the speaker admits that they will never know what the other road might have led to. This reminds me that life is full of unknowns, and we have to live with the choices we make. However, it also felt comforting to know that, in the end, the speaker believes their choice made "all the difference," suggesting that our decisions, even if difficult, can lead to meaningful and fulfilling outcomes.
Overall, the poem left me with a sense of acceptance—acceptance of the fact that life is about making choices, and while we may not always know where they will lead, those choices are what shape our journey.
In Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken," the speaker comes across two paths in a yellow forest and feels regret that they can only choose one. The speaker stands for a long time, looking down one road as far as possible before deciding to take the other path, which seems a bit less worn and more inviting. Although both roads look very similar, the speaker chooses one, thinking they can return and take the other another day, but deep down, they know it’s unlikely. The speaker imagines that in the future, they will look back on this decision with a sigh, saying that choosing the less traveled path made a big difference in their life. The poem reflects on choices in life and how one decision can shape our journey.
Full Explanation and Vocabulary
"The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost, with easy explanations and Bangla translations:
30 key words/expressions from Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken,
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| Right or reason to something | |
| Split into two different directions | |
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| A change or variation between things | |
| In the same way or amount | |
| Seeming just or reasonable | |
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| From now on, in the future | |
| The green parts of trees that fall in autumn | |
| For a great amount of time | |
| The early part of the day | |
| The act of moving by or through something | |
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| A deep breath often expressing sadness or relief | |
| Feeling regret or sadness | |
| A single movement in walking | |
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| Someone who is on a journey | |
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| Plants and bushes growing under trees | |
| To use something so it becomes old or worn out | পরিধান বা ব্যবহারজনিত ক্ষয় |
| A forest or a large area covered with trees | |
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| A color associated with autumn leaves | |
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| A reason to think something is deserved | |
