Humaiya Sawda
English 1121
Professor Scanlan
April 10, 2020
My Explication of “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost

In the poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost, The poem opens on an individual, the speaker, and protagonist, who have met an intersection that he is voyaging. The road offers the speaker a selection of streets, and we immediately come to comprehend that these streets symbolize decision all in all: all of us arrive at endless byways of our lives, and we need to settle on decisions dependent on what restricted data we have around then. The speaker remains in the forested areas, thinking about an obstacle on the road. I believe two lines in this poem that hold the most significance are 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.” In this part, he mentions the outcome of his decision. After unraveling these two sentences, there will be a couple different ways of its significance.

In the first line, Frost suggests “And having perhaps the better claim because it was grassy and wanted wear.” This line shows, assuming that it might even be the better alternative of the two, since it is verdant and looks less worn than the other way. The speaker is indicating that one path looked “grassier” than the other path. Using symbolism, he is representing the grass as the better path. Also, using imagery he is showing the readers two different paths, one better being than the other. At this point, the speaker has not finalized their decision yet but is really close to taking that better path. I feel this specific part of the poem resembles a part of everyone’s lives. We constantly need to make decisions on a regular basis. We also all have a moment in life where we feel stuck, but we must choose one “path” over the other in order to continue.

In the following line, Frost states “Though as for that the passing there had worn them really about the same”. Here, he is indicating, however, since the speaker has really strolled on the subsequent street, the person believes that as a general rule the two streets more likely than not been pretty much similarly worn-in. At this point the speaker has already made their choice. After making the choice, they felt that the other path could have provided them with more opportunities. So the speaker, similar to anybody confronted with a decision, must settle on a decision, yet can’t realize that enough will generally be certain which decision is the correct one.

These two lines both share many connotations and denotations. For example, the denotation for the word wear is to use habitually for clothing, adornment, or assistance and it can also mean to hold the rank or dignity or position signified by. This word has both a positive and negative connotation. It is positive because this can be used to signify a good action such as wearing a crown. It is negative because it can also mean energy wasted gradually. For example I am worn out from all the work today. Another example is the word grassy. Grass is green and the color green can resemble many things. Green, the color of life, restoration, nature, and vitality, is related with implications of development, concordance, newness, security, fruitfulness, and condition. Green is additionally customarily connected with cash, funds, banking, desire, insatiability, and envy. This can be a positive and negative connotation. But, in this case it is better because the speaker went with better path. One more example is the word claim. This can have a positive and negative connotation. The denotation for it is an assertion of the truth of something, typically one that is disputed or in doubt.

At the point when the two lines consolidate, it sets the entire tone of the poem. It permits the audience to get a handle on the genuine importance and subject that Robert Frost needs the audience to comprehend. The symbolism and imagery inside the poem sets the point over. Throughout everyday life, a choice must be made. The choice must be settled on completely as any choice is made.