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Thesis/Outline
Thesis: Robert Frost allows readers to empathize with the hardships one endures when reaching a fork in
the road and the compelling journey one takes to make the right decision in his poem “The Road Not
Taken.” Frost uses conflict, setting, and symbolism to show how people face decisions in life.
1. Conflict
a. The narrator expresses the decisions he faces.
b. The narrator explains the decision he made and the actions that followed.
c. The narrator reflects on the importance of the decision he is left to make.
d. The narrator then analyzes the consequences he may experience if the wrong decision is
made.
2. Symbolism
a. Path one symbolizes a rough road, one not taken by many.
b. Path two symbolizes an easier road, one more often chosen.
3. Setting
a. The yellow woods
b. The wear of the paths in the grass
c. “No leaves trodden black”
d. The narrator expresses his journey to the fork in the road
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“The Road Not Taken” by: Robert Frost
Robert Frost uses a variety of figurative language to create an empathetical connection
with the reader about the turmoil experienced when faced with decisions throughout life. Frost
allows readers to empathize with the hardships one endures when reaching a fork in the road and
the compelling journey one takes to make the right decision in his poem “The Road Not Taken.”
Frost uses conflict, setting, and symbolism to show how people face decisions in life.
Conflict is the clash of opposing characters and emotions. When resolved, the reader
experiences resolutions and understanding of the literary work. Conflict is evident throughout the
lines in “The Road Not Taken.” First, the narrator states, “And sorry I could not take both”
(Frost, 2018, line 2). The narrator feels a sense of anguish as he approaches the split of the two
roads ahead. As the narrator stands at the split, indecisive of which path to take, he begins to
analyze the paths themselves “Because it was grassy and wanted wear” (Frost, 2018, line 8). The
narrator then begins to doubt his choice in walking the path he took: “I doubted if I should ever
come back” (Frost, 2018, line 15). This doubt creates a feeling that the reader can relate to. An
emotion that is experienced when debating which decision is the best. Lastly, the narrator shares
his final decision with the reader: “I took the one less traveled” (Frost, 2018, line 19); he ends by
sharing, “And that has made all the difference” (Frost, 2018, line 20). Positive outcomes or a
resolution mark the end of the conflict. It informs the reader that sometimes, the decision that
makes all the difference is the one that seems least evident. There is no doubt that aside from
conflict, there is a strong presence of symbolism in the lines of Frost’s poem.
Symbolism is a device used to express emotions and ideas throughout the literary work.
First, we read about path number one. “And looked down as far as I could / to where it bent in
the undergrowth” (Frost, 2018, lines 4-5). This symbolizes the path less taken, the least apparent
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decision. This path is the one that creates fear of the unknown because you cannot see what lies
ahead. Secondly, the narrator describes the second path; “And having perhaps the better claim /
Because it was grassy and wanted wear; / Though as for that the passing there” (Frost, 2018,
lines 7-9). This description leads the reader to understand that this is the most walked path. The
path that makes the most sense or seems to have the most straightforward course of action. This
path allows the narrator and reader to experience a sense of comfort and ease. This poem's
symbolic language evokes strong feelings in the reader related to the unease and uncertainty of
making a choice. Everyone agrees that how the setting is created can create a more profound
desire to read or not read the literary work.
Frost uses an allegorical way of describing the setting throughout this poem. He uses a
deeper meaning to create a visual and emotional understanding of where the narrator is. To
begin, the narrator states, “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood” (Frost, 2018, line 1). From this
description, the reader could infer that the narrator is standing at a fork in the road, in the woods,
in Autumn—the “yellow wood” describing the leaves on the trees. Secondly, the narrator states,
“And both that morning equally lay / In leaves no step had trodden black” (Frost, 2018, lines 11-
12). This allows the reader to envision the paths during the morning hours, not yet walked and
undisturbed. This makes deciding which path to take that much more difficult. Lastly, we return
to “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I- / I took the one less traveled by” (Frost, 2018, lines 18-
19). These lines allow the reader to see the path in the woods. The reader can imagine the
narrator walking a path without understanding what lies ahead. The setting beautifully and
clearly describes the narrator's location and the events surrounding his period of uncertainty and
hopelessness. Indeed, after finishing this literary work, the reader completely understands what
the narrator feels and how the conflict resolves at the end.
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In “The Road Not Taken,” Frost uses the literary devices of conflict, symbolism, and
setting to assign the reader on a journey to understand the message behind the words. The
conflict ends with a positive consequence or resolution. It lets the reader know that the least
obvious path could sometimes be the choice that changes everything. The symbolism throughout
this poem creates an emotional connection to the reader relevant to the discomfort and
uncertainty when faced with the task of making a decision. The setting creates a clear and
beautiful description of where the narrator is and what occurs during his time of doubt and
despair.
