Introduction
The poem “The Road Not Taken” is written from an adolescent male’s point of view. The protagonist is at a junction in the path and must select the way to go. He takes the lesser-moved route, expecting to reflect on it and discuss how it has changed his existence in the future. “The Road Not Taken” represents uncertain circumstances individuals may experience when making life choices. The poem emphasizes its central point with perplexity, ambivalence, regret, melancholy, peace, and congrats.
Literary Analysis of the Poem
Mood
Although there is excitement for the journey beyond the poem’s opening, the mood is one of doubt by its end. “The Road Not Taken” starts with a serene, mournful tone. The speaker is strolling casually, which creates a serene atmosphere. Nevertheless, as the poem draws to a close, the tone becomes somber due to the character’s potential life-altering choice (Husaini and Dewi 8).
Until he begins to consider how his choice might affect his life in the coming years, he appears to be content with his choice. He hoped he could turn around and go in the opposite direction. Frost uses a tone expressed in the poem in two separate ways.
The final two lines of “The Road Not Taken” may imply that the protagonist is applauding himself for making the right decision or, on the other hand, criticizing himself for believing his decision was the proper one. One is that the narrator is happy and proud of himself for choosing an unusual course. The persona’s tone of regret stems from not choosing the opposite course of action.
Metaphors
The poem employs metaphorical language to demonstrate the author’s tone of introspection. The poem’s protagonist pauses at an intersection in the trail and considers which way to take in the first few lines. One of the most critical sections represents a decision that must be taken throughout life (Febriani et al. 275). Therefore, the persona’s deliberation over which path to follow displays a self-reflection regarding which course to choose.
The protagonist observes that the original trail’s conclusion is hidden by a kind of “undergrowth” before continuing his trek (Frost Line 7). This serves as a metaphor for the complexity of life and the impossibility of foreseeing the effects of decisions. As they forcefully convey the significance of lifestyle choice-making, these symbolic images serve as a focal point to demonstrate his tone of reflection and contemplation.
Tone
The poet conveys a tone of uncertainty, deliberation, and perplexity. “Long I stood” accentuates the sense of ambiguity and bewilderment (Frost Line 3). The tone shifts to one of introspection as the atmosphere does. The term “perhaps” also conveys a sense of perplexity (Frost Line 7). The audience is also confused by the persona’s confounded attitude. The poet develops comparable certainty in the ensuing stanzas. However, his mood is still dejected because he feels that a different way could be desirable to his plans.
The speaker laments and describes a depressing time in his life with a sorrowful tone. The poet uses words like “sorry” (Frost, Line 1) to convey a melancholy tone. It initially expresses to the audience that the persona lacks the courage to choose. It represents his emotional condition and the piece’s tone, which leads to weariness. Furthermore, the tone lacks conviction and is passionate instead of transparent.
Conclusion
A deeply established theme and tone of the poem “The Road Not Taken” demonstrate its literary worth. The author employs poetic techniques to assist the audience in comprehending the significance of life choices and the significance of the narrative. The reader is helped by incorporating many tones to comprehend how essential life choices are to one’s fate. The poem conveys an incisive yet sorrowful tone intending to bring the audience’s focus to the speed and complexity of life.
Works Cited
Febriani, R. Bunga, et al. “Conveying an Author’s Intention to EFL Readers: The Meaning of ‘The Road Not Taken’ by Robert Frost.” International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, vol. 13, no. 4, 2020, pp. 271–283., Web.
Frost, Robert. “The Road Not Taken.” 1874.
Husaini, Nanda, and Silvi Listia Dewi. “An Analysis of Figurative Languages on Robert Frost Poems the Road Not Taken and Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening: A Reflection of American Culture in General.” Journal of English Education and Social Science (JEESS), vol. 1, no. 1, 2021, pp. 1–12., Web.