THE ROAD NOT TAKEN
Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
III. And both that moming equally lay
And sorry I could not travel both
In leaves no step had trodden black
And be one traveler, long I stood
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
And looked down one as far as I could
Yet knowing how way leads on to way.
To where it bent in the undergrowth,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
II. 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,
IV. 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.
Questions:
1. What is the central theme of the poem?
2. What factors usually influence one's decision? Give a brief explanation
3. What decision the speaker/persona has to make in the poem?
4. Can you cite similar situations in which you had to make choice in your life? What are the results
of your decision?