Beehive - 1. The Road Not Taken - Robert Frost

 I. Glossary

1) diverged: separated and took a different direction 

2) yellow wood: a forest with decomposing leaves 

3) undergrowth: dense growth of plants and bushes means the forest) 

4) fair: As good as the other one

5) claim: Better option

6) grassy: unused 

7) wanted wear: had not been used

8) trodden: walked over

9) sigh: deep breath

10) hence: here, in the future

Theme of Choices: The poem highlights the concept of choices and decisions in life. It reflects on how decisions, even seemingly small ones, can significantly influence the course of a person's life.

Rhyme Scheme: abaab

Literary Devices:

• Metaphor: The "road" represents life's choices and journeys.
• Personification: The roads are described as "worn" and "less travelled," suggesting character.
• Imagery: The "yellow wood" and "worn" path create a vivid picture of the setting.
• Repetition: The phrase "I shall be telling this with a sigh" emphasizes the lasting impact of the choice.

Key Points of the Poem

• In "The Road Not Taken," the poet reflects on life's choices through a metaphorical journey in the woods. When faced with a fork in the road, he experiences a dilemma about which path to take.

• Despite his desire to travel both roads, he knows he must choose just one. He carefully considers his options, ultimately selecting the less traveled path. This decision, he believes, will have a significant impact on his life's course. The poet describes the characteristics of each road, noting the grassy and less worn appearance of the chosen path.

• He acknowledges that both roads are likely to have been traveled similarly by others. Despite his uncertainty about the outcome, he takes the less frequented route, believing it will make a difference in his life's journey.

• Reflecting on his decision, he imagines telling others in the future about the choice he made and how it influenced his life's path. Through this narrative, the poet explores the theme of individual choices and their impact on destiny.

SUMMARY

'The Road Not Taken' by Robert Frost brings up the idea of choice and how the choices we make shape our life. It is an extended metaphor used for life (the road) and the choices we must make along the way (the alternative paths).

The poet stood on the edge of two diverging roads and regretted that he could not travel both. He looked for, as far as he could to see, what lies ahead. One road was grassy and the other one looked worn-out. He took the grassy road and thought that he would travel the first road some other day. But he doubted if he would ever come back because he knew how one way led to another. The poet thought that in future he would be narrating the story about the two roads that diverged in the woods and his decision of taking the less travelled one made all the difference.

CENTRAL IDEA

Metaphorically, there must come a time in every one's life when one has to choose from among the various alternatives available to oneself, offering equally promising feasts of life with a little variation. One's choice leads one to the new fork or situation and makes a significant difference in one's life.

Solutions:

Thinking about the Poem

I. 1. Where does the traveler find himself? What problem does he face?

Ans: The traveler finds himself at a point where two roads diverge in a forest. He is not able to decide which road he should take. Metaphorically, it is a situation of dilemma in one's life to choose the right path.

2. Discuss what these phrases mean to you.

(i) a yellow wood

(ii) it was grassy and wanted wear

(iii) the passing there

(iv) leaves no step had trodden black

(v) how way leads on to way

Ans. (i) A forest in the autumn season depicting harsh time in one's life.

(ii) The road has grass grown on it and nobody has used it. It was a smooth road which had not worn out.

(iii) The use of the path by people passing through the forest.

(iv) It means no one had walked over these leaves.

(v) It means how one road leads to another road.

3. Is there any difference between the two roads as the poet describes them

(i) in stanzas two and three?

(ii) in the last two lines of the poem?

Ans. (i) In stanza two, the poet explains that the only difference between the two roads was that the road he took had the right to be chosen because it was covered with grass. However, at the end, he says that both the roads had been equally worn down by people walking on them. In stanza three, the poet says that both the roads were equally covered with leaves and that no person had stepped on them.

(ii) In the last two lines of the stanza, the poet mentions that he opted for the road less travelled by and that had made all the difference in his life.

4. What do you think the last two lines of the poem mean? (Looking back, does the poet regret his choice or accept it?)

Ans: The last two lines of the poem contain the theme of the poem. The poet opted for the road less travelled by that was a challenging path. The decision he took had changed the direction of his life. Our choices can make or break us. The poet accepts his choice. It all depends on our thoughts and actions when faced with a dilemma of choices.

SOME IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

1. What do the roads represent in the poem 'The Road Not Taken'?

Ans: The roads represent the choices we make in life. It is all about decision-making. We need to take decisions at every step in our life. If we do not take a balanced decision, we suffer in life. So, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of a situation.

2. How did the poet make the choice about the roads?

Ans: The poet, after a lot of contemplation, took the road which was less travelled by. It seemed to he would come back to travel on the other road someday. But he could not.

3. Have you ever had to make a difficult choice (or do you think you will have difficult choices to make)? How will you make the choice (for what reasons)? 

Ans: We all make choices on a daily basis. But I did not have to make a difficult choice till date. I will have to face challenges in the years to come as I grow up. Then, I will have to make difficult choices. I will have to choose my profession, my area of interest, etc. I think when such a situation will come, I will not just follow the herd. I will think it through and just like the poet, if required, I will take up the unexplored paths. 

4. After you have made a choice do you always think about what might have been, or do you accept the reality?

Ans: There is no point in regretting or thinking about what might have been. Such thoughts will always keep us in the hold of past and never let us see the benefits of the choices we made. Accepting the reality is the best way to overcome any situation.