Poetic devices in the poem The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost - Essay Example

? Poetic Devices in the Poem ‘The Road Not Taken’ by Robert Frost Paper Outline Introduction Thematic Concerns Significance of Title Major Literary Devices and Figures of Speech Mood of the Poem Conclusion Poems are always braced with various features to make them interesting to read, but above all convey the intended message. This range from literary devices, setting influences, thematic concerns, significant titles and clear narrations. The poem, ‘The Road Not Taken’ by Robert Frost, employs the use of various devices and aspects related to poetry to ensure that the intended message is conveyed effectively. This paper will be a discussion of how Robert Frost has modeled theme, literary devices, title of the poem and mood to convey the message in the poem. Thematic concern Literally, the poem, The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost talks about a traveler who comes across a Y junction. There are two roads of nearly the same quality though one has used just a little bit more by travelers before but that morning, neither of the two roads had been used. The traveler, for a while cannot decide on which of the two roads to take: “…long I stood and looked down one as far as I could to where it bent in the undergrowth” (Frost, 2012). He then decides to take the road less traveled by people. However, wonders whether at the end of his journey, he will look back with joy or regret at the choice he had made. Consequently, the main theme of this poem is the making of choices or decisions in life; the literal meaning being that the road the traveler chose will either determine whether his journey will be a smooth or turbulent one. Literarily, or symbolically, the two roads could mean making a decision between two choices, none of which is easy for the two roads are nearly of the same nature and condition. Symbolically, it means that life is a journey and just like the persona, we have choices to make and these choices will impact on our lives and as such, we have to be careful when making them. The persona had to take a considerable bit of time to choose between the two options that were presenting themselves to him. The persona can be attributed as being cautious or careful for he does not make hasty decisions: “…long I stood and looked down one as far as I could…” (Frost, 2012). We could also refer to him as brave, courageous and daring because he chooses to walk along a lonely path that few people have dared to. Symbolically, this means that the persona has opted for a decision in life that few people have taken. In addition, the persona can be referred to as tactful because he is aware that whatever decision he makes, there will be repercussions, either positive or negative, meaning he will either be happy or sad later on; “…I shall be telling this with a sigh somewhere ages and ages hence…” “… and that has made all the difference.” (Frost, 2012). Significance of the Title The title of the poem is symbolic in that the ‘Road not Taken’ could refer to a choice one opts not to take in life. This eventually is illuminated upon later on in life when one looks back and reviews whether it was wise or not to have ignored a particular choice. For example, in life when one has been successful because he made a given decision, he is likely to look back on the wrong choice which was ignored then congratulate himself. Conversely, one may look back with regret at a good choice that had been ignored when they realize the decision they made was the wrong one. The road the persona ignored as he was traveling could mean that the persona did not want to do something that a majority of the people had opted for before. Most of the time, majority of people would wish to choose to do what many others have tried before due to the fear of the ‘unknown’. However, there are a few people who are brave enough to try untested territories like the persona in the poem. Major Literary Devices and Figures of Speech Robert Frost has employed certain literary devices and figures of speech that are meant to enhance the understanding of the message. Symbolism and metaphor have been used extensively. The traveler who comes across the two diverging roads symbolizes the journey of life. The two roads metaphorically represent the choices one has to make in the journey of life. Secondly, the morning when the persona came upon the roads metaphorically represents an early stage in a person’s life when one has to make choices for the future. Once a particular choice has been opted for, it is unlikely that one gets a second opportunity to make a different choice or the same one. What follow are consequences and one must learn to live with them;”Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back” (Frost, 2012). The sigh symbolizes the fact that at the end of it all, it is either celebration or regret. There are different types of sighs, some of relief or satisfaction while others are of sadness. The Persona, therefore, has not established whether he has made a good choice or not. Repetition is evident in the poem as illustrated by: ages and ages, and sorry, and be, and looked, and both, and having, and that. Repetition as a style is normally used for emphasis and for aesthetical value, which is musicality (Poteat, 2007). The extensive use of the word, “and” is probably meant by the poet as a conjunction that enhances continuity. This is in line with the fact that life is a continuous journey. Thus, apart from enhancing musicality; this repetition creates a flow just like a traveling person. Further, musicality has been built on by the use of alliteration for example, wanted/wear, though/ that/the/there/them/the. This also creates the rhythm of the journey. Another major aspect of the rhythm is the use of rhyme and metrical devices. The rhyming words are as follows: would/stood/could, both/undergrowth, fair/wear/there, claim/same, lay/day/way, black/back, sigh/I/by, hence/difference (Frost, 2012). The rhyme scheme is therefore, abaab, cdccd, efeef, ghggh. This is a regular rhyme scheme. Rhyme, just like the other aspects of musicality, is meant to create a rhythm that creates a picture of a journey. Hopefully, the persona is looking forward to a non turbulent one. Mood the Poem Given that the narrator takes time before making a choice and that fact that he is not sure whether he is making the right one, the poem has adopted a mood of apprehension or uncertainty. He says, “Oh! I kept the first for another day! (Frost, 2012). Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back” There is this apprehension in the persona that the repercussions of his choice will only be revealed later on. The uncertainty and apprehension of the narrator may be further explained in the third last line when he appears to be stuttering or unsure of himself when he says, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –I took the one less traveled by (Frost, 2012). Conclusion The narrator or persona definitely has the conviction that making choices in life is a very serious process that one cannot afford to take lightly. This is why he talks of taking a serious observation of the two roads before deciding on which one to take. At the same time, he knows that he must not turn back o whatever decision he makes. He uses words like; ’Sorry’ to portray that one cannot have his cake and eat it. He says he will be telling his story with a ‘sigh’ which signifies that there definitely are consequences for every decision. Consequently, the poet Robert Frost, in his poem, ‘The Road not Taken’ seeks to advise the readers to go through the journey of life while making carefully thought out decisions lest they regret in future. References Frost, R. (2012). The Road Not Taken. Retrieved on 13th April 2012 from http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15717 Poteat, H. (2007). The Functions of Repetition in Latin Poetry. The Classical Weekly, Vol. 12, No. 18. Pp.139-142 Read More