ACTIVITY
The Road Not Taken Thinking about the poem
The Road Not Taken
By Robert Frost
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.
1.Where does the traveler find himself?
- The traveler finds himself in a yellow wood, likely indicating a forest in autumn. He stands in the
middle of the road, facing two different paths.
2. What problem does he face?
- He felt torn because he couldn’t explore both paths.
3. Discuss what these phrases mean to you.
a) a yellow wood: a forest in autumn
b) it was grassy and wanted wear: it’s unconventional or not commonly chosen
c) the passing there: someone chose to walk onto the new path
d) leaves no step had trodden black: forget everything and start a new opportunity
e) how way leads on to way: your choices impact your future
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4.What was the poet’s dilemma?
- The poet’s dilemma was deciding which of the two paths in the yellow wood to take.
5.What was the poet’s opinion about both the roads?
- Both paths are similar; it depends on the traveler how he will make his journey and experience worthwhile.
6.What do the roads represent?
- The roads represent life decision.
7.What did the poet discover while travelling on the other road?
- Both roads are quite similar; they may seem different at first glance, but along the way, the traveler realizes
that they are the same.
8.Is there any difference between the two roads as the poet describes them?
a. in stanzas two and three?
- No, they are the same. The lines mean that both roads were quite similar, with neither
showing clear signs of being more or less traveled.
b. in the last two lines of the poem?
- No, there’s no difference between the two roads. The only difference is the choice of the
traveler; the path he chose has shaped his life significantly.
9.What do you think the last two lines of the poem mean? (Looking back, does the poet regret his choice or
accept it?
- The traveler accepts his choice. He describes his journey as unconventional or unique, and he feels satisfied
with his decision.
10. 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)?
- Yes, personally, I often weigh the impact of various choices and decisions, considering the possible
consequences and results that may arise.
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