Road Not Taken
Poetry Essay
ENGL 102: Literature and Composition
MLA
Thesis Statement: Every adult faces the challenge of a life-altering decision. In “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost there are many metrical devices used to portray the poet’s major theme of decision making.
Outline for “The Road Not Taken”
I. Introduction A. Influence of decision making B. Problem faced by the character
II. Body A. Theme of decision making B. Setting (1) Why is this symbolic? C. Title (1) What is the significance? D. Metrical devices used (1) Onomatopoeia (2) Imagery (3) Symbolism (4) Personification (5) Rhyming (6) Alliteration (7) Allegory
III. Conclusion A. How do all of the elements support the poets overall theme
ENGL 102
“The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost
Every adult faces challenges and life-altering decisions. In “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost this dilemma is brought to life. The character in the poem has free will to choose whichever path he wants. He is completely unaware of what his choice will bring but he leaves it to chance. He knows he has to make a choice and that it is impossible to know whether or not it is the right choice. He knows that no matter what his choice is he will always wonder what his life would have been like had he chosen the other path. In reality there is no right or wrong path. There are only decisions and outcomes.
The theme of decision making in this poem takes a “seize the day” approach. No matter the outcome the traveler knows he still must make a decision and make the best of it. The setting of the poem takes place in the woods. The character is standing there studying a forked path. It is ironic that both paths are seemingly the same, they are both intriguing to the traveler and he wishes that he could travel them both. The forked path is symbolic of life and all of its many choices that must be made. Just as the character is unaware of what his choice may bring,
ENGL 102: Literature and Composition
MLA
Thesis Statement: Every adult faces the challenge of a life-altering decision. In “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost there are many metrical devices used to portray the poet’s major theme of decision making.
Outline for “The Road Not Taken”
I. Introduction A. Influence of decision making B. Problem faced by the character
II. Body A. Theme of decision making B. Setting (1) Why is this symbolic? C. Title (1) What is the significance? D. Metrical devices used (1) Onomatopoeia (2) Imagery (3) Symbolism (4) Personification (5) Rhyming (6) Alliteration (7) Allegory
III. Conclusion A. How do all of the elements support the poets overall theme
ENGL 102
“The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost
Every adult faces challenges and life-altering decisions. In “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost this dilemma is brought to life. The character in the poem has free will to choose whichever path he wants. He is completely unaware of what his choice will bring but he leaves it to chance. He knows he has to make a choice and that it is impossible to know whether or not it is the right choice. He knows that no matter what his choice is he will always wonder what his life would have been like had he chosen the other path. In reality there is no right or wrong path. There are only decisions and outcomes.
The theme of decision making in this poem takes a “seize the day” approach. No matter the outcome the traveler knows he still must make a decision and make the best of it. The setting of the poem takes place in the woods. The character is standing there studying a forked path. It is ironic that both paths are seemingly the same, they are both intriguing to the traveler and he wishes that he could travel them both. The forked path is symbolic of life and all of its many choices that must be made. Just as the character is unaware of what his choice may bring,