Robert Frost, a poet from the early Twentieth Century, is well known not only for his style, but also for his use of symbolism throughout his works. In The Road Not Taken, he depicted his theme and meaning through a four stanza poem which consisted of a set rhyme scheme (A, B, A, A, B). This poem has left its readers with many different interpretations. In naming this poem The Road Not Taken, Frost left a lot of room for speculation. Does it mean for people to take the road not taken by others or does it mean that no matter which road you choose you will wonder about the road not taken? In the first stanza, the narrator says, And sorry I could not travel both...(line 2). This quote is plainly explaining how difficult is it to make a decision because it is impossible not to wonder about the opportunity cost; what the decision maker will miss out on. There is a strong sense of regret before the choice is even made and it lies in the knowledge that in one lifetime, it is impossible to change your mind and undo the results of the road you have chosen. In an attempt to make a decision, the traveler looks down one as far as I could.(line 4). The road that will be chosen leads to the unknown, as does any choice in life. As much as he may strain his eyes to see as far as the road stretches, eventually it surpasses his vision and he can never see where it is going to lead. It is the way that he chooses here that sets him off on his journey and decides where he is going. In the second stanza the traveler tries defend the decision he made on which road to take. Then took the other, just as fair, and having perhaps the better claim(line 6-7). What made it have the better claim was that, it was grassy and wanted wear(line 8). It was something that was obviously not for everyone because it seemed that the majority of people took the other path and therefore he calls it the road less traveled by.(line 19). The fact that the traveler t...
