Vocabulary
What does "diverged" mean in the first line of the poem?
split or separated into different directions.
How does the poem address the concept of regret?
while we may wonder about paths not taken, our choices ultimately define who we become.
What situation does the speaker face at the beginning of the poem?
The speaker faces a fork in the road and must decide which path to take.
What do the two roads symbolize in the poem?
Different choices or paths in life.
What point of view is the poem written in?
1st person
What is a "yellow wood" referring to in the poem's setting?
A forest in autumn when the leaves have turned yellow.
What theme does the line "I took the one less traveled by" express?
This line expresses the theme of individualism and choosing a unique or unconventional path in life.
How does the speaker initially describe the difference between the two paths?
The speaker initially says one path is "just as fair" as the other, suggesting they appear similar.
What does the "yellow wood" symbolize in the poem?
A time of change or decision-making, like autumn represents transition in seasons.
Who wrote "The Road Not Taken"?
Robert Frost.
What does "undergrowth" mean in the poem?
small trees and bushes growing beneath larger trees in a forest.
What is the main theme of "The Road Not Taken"?
individual choice and the consequences of decisions in life.
What does the speaker realize about the second path upon closer inspection?
The speaker realizes the second path is "grassy and wanted wear," meaning it's less traveled.
What does the "undergrowth" symbolize in terms of life choices?
The undergrowth symbolizes the unknowns and obstacles that might be encountered in life's journey.
When was "The Road Not Taken" published?
1916
What does the phrase "wanted wear" mean in the poem?
the path had been less traveled or used by people.
How does the poem explore the theme of uncertainty in decision-making?
The poem shows the speaker's uncertainty through his detailed examination of both paths and acknowledgment that his choice was somewhat arbitrary.
What decision does the speaker ultimately make?
The speaker decides to take the less-traveled path.
What does the less-traveled road symbolize in the poem?
It symbolizes making independent or unconventional choices rather than following the crowd.
How far could the speaker see down the first path?
To a bend in the undergrowth.
What is the meaning of "trodden" in the poem?
walked on or traveled over.
What does the poem suggest about how we view our past decisions?
The poem suggests we often rationalize past decisions and may romanticize them as more deliberate or significant than they actually were.
What does the speaker predict about how he'll view this decision in the future?
The speaker predicts he'll look back "with a sigh" and claim the less-traveled path "has made all the difference."
What does the speaker's inability to travel both roads symbolize?
It symbolizes the impossibility of living multiple lives or experiencing all possible choices simultaneously.
What does the "sigh" at the end of the poem symbolize about human nature?
The sigh symbolizes human tendency to reflect on life choices with a mixture of satisfaction and wondering about what might have been.