Poem Analysis: The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

Study Notes

The poem "The Road Not Taken" was written by Robert Frost and published in August 1915 in The Atlantic.
The poem discusses the idea of a fork in the path and the difficulties of making a decision about which path to take.

The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with five lines.
The first stanza describes the poet's encounter with a fork in the path, where he must decide which path to take.
The second stanza explains the poet's decision to take the less-traveled path, which seems "grassy and wants wear".
The third stanza describes the poet's thoughts about the path he did not take, and how he might regret his decision in the future.
The fourth stanza concludes the poem, with the poet stating that taking the less-traveled path "has made all the difference".

The poem can be interpreted in many ways, often as a discussion of the thoughts that go through someone's head when they need to make a difficult decision.
The poem explores the idea that every decision, no matter how small, can lead to different outcomes and emotions.
Robert Frost eventually revealed that the poem was an ironic poem, or a joke, made for his friend Edward Thomas, who often struggled with making decisions about which path to take on their walks.

The poem explores the theme of different directions creating different choices, and the emotions that come with making a decision.
The poem also touches on the theme of nature, with the setting of the poem taking place in the fall, symbolizing transition and change.
The poem celebrates individualism and nonconformity, as the poet takes the less-traveled path, which is often seen as a symbol of pride and independence.

The road in the poem is a symbol of the many choices you will make in life, and the results that may come from those choices.
The undergrowth in the poem is a symbol of the uncertainty and unpredictability of the outcome of our decisions.

The poem is written in formal verse, with a set pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables.
The poem uses a loose iambic tetrameter, with a pattern of {unstressed - stressed} and occasionally replacing iambs with anapests.
The poem uses an ABAAB rhyming scheme, with a consistent pattern of rhymes throughout the four stanzas.