Name: John Ashley Matalubos Date: 9/18/23

Poetry Analysis Sheet

1.What does the title mean?

Take a look at the title and reflect on what it means: The meaning of the title is making a decision in our life, it help us realize the
possibilities we miss. (You will need this for the introductory paragraph.)

2.the poem two or three times. You will see something different each time you read the poem. Write a brief summary of the poem in
Put it in your own words
Read your own words. Highlight or list some of the words (nouns, verbs, phrases) that are important to understanding the poem.
The speaker of the poem remembers a critical decision they had to make when faced with two conflicting options.
their lifetime paths through a forest. The speaker stands there and laments that he couldn't go on both trips.
deciding which course to take. In the end, they choose the less traveled route, which profoundly changes
their sequence of acts.
3.What do you think the poem means?
Now think about the meaning of the poem, not just the obvious meaning of each word but what they mean beyond the literal. Do these
words suggest something else? Answer these questions:
Who is the subject of the poem?
In the poem "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost, the speaker remembers a pivotal moment when
The choice for the poem's subject was between two tangent roads in a forest. Speaking is the
principal character who has internal turmoil and ultimately takes the decision that affects how
Their journey will proceed.it may provide the authors feelings and expression.

What are they talking about?

In the poem "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost, the speaker recalls a crucial period in their life.
They reached a real road bifurcation in a wooded area. They had to pick one of two possibilities. The
The speaker considers the choice they had to make at this time. They convey their regret for not
Although having the option of taking either path, they ultimately choose the less traveled one. The poem investigates
the subject of choices and how they impact how our lives unfold, emphasizing the impact that even small
Apparently trivial decisions could affect our direction.
Why do you think the author wrote the poem?
The Road Not Taken" is known for its exploration of the theme of choices and their consequences. It's possible that Frost
wrote this poem to emphasize the significance of the choices we make in life and the impact they have on our journey. The
poem encourages us to reflect on the paths we've taken and the ones we didn't, and how those choices shape our lives.
Frost might have wanted to inspire readers to contemplate the notion of individuality, free will, and the unpredictability of
life's twists and turns. It's a poem that sparks imagination and personal interpretation.
When is the poem happening?
“The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost is a poem that deliberately avoids specifying a particular time
period, creating a timeless moment of decision-making applicable to anyone, in any era. The setting, a
“yellow wood,” serves as a vivid yet general backdrop for the speaker’s contemplation. This absence of
temporal context allows the poem to connect with readers across different periods, highlighting the
universal theme of making choices and reflecting on life’s paths. It encourages readers to relate their
own experiences to the speaker’s moment of decision, regardless of when they encounter the poem.
Where is the poem happening?
The setting, a "yellow wood," provides a vivid yet all-
encompassing backdrop for the speaker's contemplation in
Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken." This absence of
temporal context allows the poem to connect with readers
across different periods, highlighting the universal theme of
making choices and reflecting on life's paths.

What is the poet’s attitude?

Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken" poet takes a

thoughtful and deliberate approach to making decisions.
a hint of regret for not taking the two routes. They sigh in
anticipation of telling their tale,
displaying a sentimental and grateful mix for their decision.
In general, the poem highlights the
effects of choices on a person's life.
How does the poem shift from person to person or between different times or places?
Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken" is told in the first person. The speaker thinks.
a decision made previously between two paths in a woods. Despite the fact that the story is told in the
first person, there is a

a change in time. The speaker begins by discussing the previous choice before moving on to the present.
When talking about how their decision will affect the future.

Most poems tell us about a poet’s understanding of an experience so the beginning will be different
then the end. The change may be in feelings, language (slang to formal), or connotation (positive to
Negative). Explain how these shifts convey the poem’s message.

4. Poetic devices: Tools of the poet

identify different poetic devices and how they convey the poem’s message.
Simile – comparison using like or as
This poetic device is not explicitly used in “The Road Not Taken.”
Metaphor – a direct comparison
The diverging roads are a metaphor for life’s choices
Personification – giving human qualities to nonhuman things
The speaker personifies the routes when she refers to one of them as "wanted wear."
It has human-like intentions and desires, indicating that it is eager to be chosen.
tone– what emotion does the speaker use as he talks
The tone of the speaker is contemplative.
Point of view – who is the telling the poem
he speaker is the one telling the events because the poetry is written in the first person, and putting
their feelings and thoughts into words.
Imagery – creating pictures with words
Frost employs vivid language to paint a picture of the scene, especially while describing the
The dividing walks and "yellow wood“.
Alliteration – repeating the same letter
such as in the line “And both that morning equally lay.” The
repetition of the “m” sound creates a subtle rhythm in the line.

5. Theme
Identify the theme (central idea) of the poem. How does the theme convey the poem’s message?

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost centers on the idea of decisions and their lasting effects.
impact on someone's life. The poem explores decision-making in detail and considers how
One's journey is determined by these decisions.
6. Look at the title again
Now look at the title again. Do you now have a different interpretation of the title?
Rereading "The Road Not Taken," I would like to present a different interpretation. In
The title can be read as a metaphor for the undiscovered possibilities in addition to its literal meaning
opportunities and
Possibilities in life.
7. Begin writing your analysis
Start with the introductory paragraph. It should contain the title, the author, and an explanation of the
writer’s position as well as the significance of the title. Include a brief overall statement of the meaning
of the poem. This will lead you into the body of the analysis. In the body of the analysis, discuss how the
poem was written, which poetic devices were used, the tone, the poet’s attitude, and the shift of the
poem from the beginning to the poet’s ultimate understanding of the experience in the end. Add your
interpretation of the poem.
title: “The Road Not Taken”
Author: Robert Frost
In Robert Frost’s famous poem “The Road Not Taken,” he explores the complexities of decision-making
and how it shapes a person’s life journey. Using the metaphor of two diverging paths in a forest, Frost
prompts readers to reflect on the weight of choices. The title itself, “The Road Not Taken,” encapsulates
the central theme, highlighting the significance of the paths we choose and their lasting impact on our
lives.
Frost employs metaphor and vivid imagery to vividly depict a crucial moment in the speaker’s life. The
two different paths symbolize distinct choices, each leading to a different outcome. Through carefully
chosen words and subtle shifts in tense, Frost guides us through the speaker’s contemplation. The use of
enjambment creates a conversational flow, mirroring the introspective tone of the speaker. Additionally,
personification gives life to the paths, endowing them with intention and desire.
The overall tone of the poem is reflective, mirroring the speaker’s deep introspection about a past
decision. There’s a sense of longing and a hint of regret as the speaker envisions looking back on this
moment “ages and ages hence.” This communicates the enduring impact of the choice and its lasting
significance in the speaker’s life.
The poem’s transition from the initial recollection of the decision to the speaker’s future reflection
emphasizes the long-lasting influence of choices. The speaker’s understanding of the experience grows
over time, underscoring the enduring importance of the chosen path.
Interpretation: “The Road Not Taken” addresses the common human ordeal of making decisions and the
extensive effects they can have. It acts as a prompt to recognize the importance of personal choices in
determining one’s life trajectory. The poem encourages readers to contemplate their own journeys and
ponder the consequences of the paths they have chosen, highlighting the importance of self-reflection
and self-understanding in navigating life’s course.

8. Historical and cultural context

Integrate the research you have done on your author into your poetry analysis. Explain how the author’s
history and culture have influenced the poem.
Title: “The Road Not Taken”
Author: Robert Frost
Robert Frost, a distinguished American poet, authored the renowned poem “The Road Not Taken.” Born
in San Francisco in 1874, Frost’s upbringing in rural New England had a profound influence on his literary
works. The natural scenery and rural lifestyle of New England frequently served as a backdrop for his
poetry, including this particular piece. Frost’s roles as a farmer, educator, and traveler also played a
pivotal role in shaping his perspective. His intimate knowledge of rural settings is evident in the vivid
imagery of the “yellow wood” and the diverging paths. This connection to nature and the outdoors is a
recurring motif in Frost’s poetry, beautifully exemplified in “The Road Not Taken.” Additionally, Frost’s
experience as a teacher at various schools granted him valuable insights into the complexities of
decision-making. This background likely contributed to his nuanced portrayal of the speaker’s
contemplation and the enduring impact of choices.
List two important experiences that influenced the author:
1. Early adulthood: When Frost relocated to New England, he was exposed to
the rural settings and tight-knit communities that frequently take center stage in his
poetry. Both the local wildlife and populace had a significant influence on his writing.
2. Years of Teaching: Frost worked as a teacher for a sizable period of his life. This circumstance
gave him useful insights into the complexity of human behavior, decision-making, and
decisions in life. These ideas are at the heart of "The Road Not Taken.“
List two conditions in the author’s country that influenced his/her life (poverty, political unrest, war, lack
of opportunities, social constraints especially for women):
1. Frost spent a large part of his life in rural settings, which presents a number of challenges for
agriculture.
more so in New England. The difficulties and benefits of rural living, such as farming and
His poetry was greatly impacted by his work in agriculture. This setting gave him a sense of
rich supply of naturalistic imagery and topics, which can be seen in several of his
works.
2. Frost lived during the Great Depression, a time of terrible economic hardship.
During the 1930s, there was economic hardship and social unrest in the United States. These days,
He probably developed his perspective on human resilience and the lingering effects of economic
turmoil.
The poem's contemplation on the topics of decisions' effects and "The Road Not Taken."
decision-making and its effects can be viewed as a reflection of the uncertainty and
the difficulties of this historical time.