Robert Frost, born in San Francisco in 1874, was an incredible poet renowned for his poems that capture the essence of “autumnal tones of New England” (Charters, 862). It was not until 1912 that he truly embarked on his literary journey when he relocated with his family to England and dedicated himself to his writing. Frost’s repertoire boasts numerous exceptional poetic works, yet like many other poets, he also had several unnoticed poems.
The Road Not Taken and Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening share the same Frost ambiance, as they are both rich in metaphors and symbols that bring the poems to life on the page. These exquisite poems will endure for generations. The protagonist in The Road Not Taken confronts the weighty decision of selecting a path, which also determines his destiny. The fork in the road serves as the primary and timeless metaphor for the decisions we face in life. Both paths are equally uncertain and treacherous.
He attempts to find solace in the idea that he will eventually return and select the second option, although he immediately admits his doubt that he will actually do so. Frost concludes the poem with the character resolving that in the future when he recounts this story, he will state “[he] took the one less traveled by, and that made all the difference” (Frost, 878). In Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, the character finds himself alone in a snowy forest with his horse, pausing to admire the “woods fill up with snow” (Frost, 879). This character takes this moment to contemplate the life surrounding him. He too faces the choice between solitude or returning to society to fulfill his commitments. The distant pull of his responsibilities compels him to continue his journey so that he can soon rest his weary head. “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood” (Frost, 877) from The Road Not Taken and in Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening “The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep” (Frost, 879) are both quotes that represent the characters’ decisions they must make.
Both of these poems contain strong metaphors symbolizing the decisions the characters are faced with. In “The Road Not Taken,” the character must determine which path will lead to the desired life. Although both paths are described as being similar, the character struggles to discern which one will truly have an impact on their life. In the final stanza, the character daydreams about a future moment when they will recount this story, highlighting the choice they made to follow the less traveled path, and how that decision shaped their life.
The character in Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening is confronted with the decision and symbolism of secluding himself and his horse in the woods, or going back to the societal obligations of his existence. Both of these characters are encompassed by comparable environments as well. They discover themselves solitary and reflecting in the woods that are teeming with vitality and mortality. It is not accidental that Frost placed these characters in the time of year that symbolizes death itself, but curiously enough, the characters are examining their lives.
In “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” the phrase “between the woods and frozen lake” (879) symbolizes death, as the frozen lake represents a lifeless state. Previously filled with flowing water, the lake freezes during the colder seasons, resembling a black slate awaiting thawing. Similarly, in “The Road Not Taken,” the speaker encounters a yellowed wood that signifies the changing of seasons. Both characters confront comparable existential questions and circumstances that prompt them to reflect on their own existence.
Despite their similarities, these poems also have differences. In “The Road Not Taken,” the character is presented with two new paths, both leading to a new way of life. These paths represent the unfamiliar and a distinct lifestyle from the one he is leaving behind. Regardless of his decision, he will encounter something unexpected because what awaits him is unknown. Conversely, in “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” the character is aware of what lies ahead with one of his choices.
He is faced with a choice: to embrace the enigmatic new existence in the woods or to stick with the familiar life where his commitments reside. He acknowledges that the town he initially intended to go to holds promises that he has made, representing a settled lifestyle. However, he finds himself unable to determine which path to take once the allure of the beautiful and obscure forests enters his thoughts. Unlike the character portrayed in The Road Not Taken, this individual is not entirely solitary; he has his horse as his companion.
The speaker’s horse inquiries about any potential miscommunication by shaking its harness bells (line 879). Additionally, the horse serves as a representation of the protagonist’s past life, and when he shakes the bell, it appears to bring the character back to reality. The protagonist understands that he cannot remain in the woods and proceeds on his journey because he acknowledges that he has a significant distance ahead before resting (line 879). Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed both of these poems. I have a fondness for autumn and winter, which frequently serve as the backdrop for Frost’s poems. The author’s implementation of vivid descriptions is undeniably enchanting.
The writer discusses the shades found in the woods or the deep dark forest. The poetry is easy to comprehend at a basic level but reveals deeper meanings upon closer inspection. Symbolism, metaphors, and similes are used extensively to provoke thought about the true intent of the writer. Although I typically dislike poetry and tend to approach this genre with apprehension, I did not find Frost’s poem to be entirely terrible. In the end, I found this essay quite enjoyable and surprisingly did not mind the effort invested.
In 1996, The New York Times published a review by Michiko Kakutani titled “Books of the Times: A Belligerent Poet in a Gentler Light.” The article discusses the work of a poet who is known for his aggressive style but is now being viewed in a more peaceful and accepting manner. The review was published in New York and is copyrighted in 2012.
The article was not specifically about the poems I was studying, but rather about Robert Frost himself. I had limited knowledge about Robert Frost prior to reading this and the brief biography in our main book. However, now I feel like I have a basic understanding of him. (Source: Lea, Sydnea, Lessons On The Road Not Taken, Burlington Free Press, © 2003)
The author provides a comprehensive analysis of the poem, discussing each stanza and its contribution to the overall meaning. As an English teacher, the author’s language is accessible and not overly complicated. Overall, this article is highly enjoyable.
Stevens, Clint, On The Road Not Taken, Anthology of American Poets, Oxford, © 2003
I had a great time on this website as it had a plethora of reviews and interpretations of the poem. What made it even better was that some articles included both “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” and “The Road Not Taken” and compared them.
