Stylistic Analysis of Robert Frost’s Poem: “The Road Not Taken”

This analysis covers the different aspects such as the lexico-syntactic patterns and choices,
semantically, grammatically, graphological and phonological patterns. This helps understand
the basic concept of the poem: the contrast between the selection of rights and wrongs of life.
Though this simple poem, with a universal theme, is personal in tone and mood but applicable
to every man.
The literary meaning of style refers to how a writer’s thoughts take the shape of words. It
has various meanings outside the literary text, too. Style is how something is spoken, written,
or interpreted. It refers to the use of words, sentences, structures, and speaking. The
personality of the writer is connected with his particular style. It describes the way a person
speaks and writes and how beautifully depicts his ideas and thoughts. Style depends on the
given context and has a given purpose for which the language is being used. The style of
Robert Frost in The Road not Taken is based on profound research for the understanding of
things. The selection of roads is a simple matter, but the poet does not know where his
selection leads. Frost uses simple words and phrases; through irony, antithesis, symbolism,
and metaphors, the poem takes a deeper meaning. The ordinary meanings of the poem are
different from the intended ones. This ambiguity gives a sense of mystery to Robert Frost’s
work.
Robert Frost was born in1874 in San Francisco, California. He moved to New England
(Massachusetts) as a child after his father’s death. Frost suffered from financial and economic
difficulties until he decided to move to England at 38 years old. He managed to publish his
work overseas, becoming popular in America. He then returned in 1915 and one year later
wrote his masterpiece The Road Not Taken. The poem theme has many themes like
indecision, which can be related to Robert Frost’s age when he wrote it. He is reflecting on
the many choices he made, and wondering how different would his life be if he had made
other decisions (by taking another road). Another interpretation in the poem suggests that
Frost felt that his life was ending, therefore reflecting on his lost opportunities.
The title of the poem is the key to understanding it. The road not taken is a suitable title, a
motif, as the whole poem circles around it. The title may have two meanings: the poet selects
the less frequented road and that has made all the difference. He rejects the majority of
choices and chooses an adventurous road for the journey of his life, or the poet is repenting on
why he has opted for the less frequented road. Another interpretation would be that Robert
Frost had not taken any of the stated roads. Rather, he selects the middle path or does not
choose any road for him.
The poem “The Road Not Taken” is one of the prettiest poems in the English
language. The poet relaxes meter for a more conversational tone. It revolves around the main
theme of making choices. The poet is traveling and is coming to the spot from where the road
is divided into two. He gets confused. The destination of both the roads is unknown. But the
poet has to choose one of them. One road is looked at, frequently used by others and it is the
trodden path. So he decides to choose the less trodden path. At this confusing moment, he
thinks one way is better; after that, both paths are about the same. The poet remains
committed to his decision to take the road he had previously selected, saying that he will save
the other road for another day. He observes that he will never have an opportunity to take the
other road. In years to come, he says that he will be telling others about the choice he made.

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While doing so, he will sigh either with relief that he made the right choice or with regret that
he made the wrong choice. Whether right or wrong, the choice will have had a significant
impact on his life. The main theme of the poem is the right choice of direction for life, but
there are many other sub-themes: decision/indecision, individualism, caution, commitment,
accepting a challenge, dreams, hopes, and plans in life, man, and the natural world,
exploration, ambiguity.
The Road Not Taken is considered to be a narrative and lyrical poem. It usually
contains elements such as plot, characters, conflict, and a setting. The narrator describes the
poem in first-person point of view by using “I” which helps the readers to know and
understand all the thoughts and actions of the poet. The Road Not Taken is lyrical in which the
poet expresses his strong feelings and emotions by using the power of imagination.
The poetic language normally deviates from the general rules of the language.
According to Wordsworth, all good poetry is a “spontaneous flow of powerful feelings”.
Diction means choice and use of words, phrases to express thoughts, feelings, and emotions,
especially in literature and poetry. Although the poem is symbolic, the lines are mostly short
and easy to understand due to the simple words. The poet develops the idea of indecision with
colloquial words.
There are many grammatical devices used to create poetic effects. In the first three
lines of stanza one, ‘and’ is repeated at the beginning of each of the lines. This repetition
highlights the idea that the poet’s mind is occupied by many thoughts i.e. selection of the
road. This poem is a mixture of tenses as the poet moves forwards and backward over time.
All the verbs used in the poem are in the past tense, except for the verbs in the first and last
lines of the last stanza, i.e. ‘shall be telling’ and ‘has made’ of the present tenses. This
indicates the poet’s personal or self-reflection on what he did or selected in the past and on
what has resulted in. It contributes to the idea that choice is inevitable but he never knows
what his choice means until he has lived it. The linguistic features of the poem have
something to do with the meaning of the poem itself; the poet knows that people look back
over their lives. He also knows that few people want to admit that they are wrong or they at
least chose a path that might lead them to a better life. The frequent use of commas reflects
the sense of wandering, emphasizing the pauses for thought and reflection. At the end of line
8 again semicolon is used to highlight that the poet will select the less travelled road but at the
same time, he admits they are ‘really about the same The last line of the third stanza is a
complex one and depicts negative doubt of the poet that he can come back at this place where
the road has diverged in his life. The first line of the last stanza is in the future tense. Here the
main clause comes first suggestive of either sadness or regret.
This poem focuses on the selection of the road out of two. The irony is that the poet
chooses the one that is less travelled and says“that has made all the difference”. Although
before this, he has said that both the roads are equally fair and worn. They looked the same.
Moreover, the selection of road in life (to lead a life) is not the problem of the poet alone;
everybody has to go in this process in his life that how they want to lead their lives.
An important theme that can be identified in Robert Frost’s poem is the ambiguous
nature of what appears and what is envisioned. Another important consideration is the priority
of the word ‘road’ over ‘path’ as one visualizes a path to be less travelled and the road to be
much more travelled.

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 This poem consists of four stanzas. All stanzas comprise five lines. Each line is
composed of iambic tetrameter. The end rhymes are perfect rhymes (wood, stood, and could)
and slant rhymes (both and undergrowth). Each stanza has the pattern of the rhyme scheme:
ABAAB, CDCCD, EFEEF, and GHGGH pattern. The same rhyme scheme pattern is
repeated in all four stanzas.
The rhyme scheme of this poem is ABAAB, CDCCD, EFEEF, and GHGGH. The
rhythm is iambic and each line has eight syllables (four stressed and four unstressed). The
meter used for this poem is mostly loose iambic tetrameter. To create a dramatic effect,
breaking the patterns to produce different tones and flow within the poem, Robert Frost used
unconventional metrical structure. Multiple stylistic devices are used in Robert Frost's poem
The Road Not Taken.
Assonance (repetition of a vowel sound within a line of poetry) creates a rhythm to
the poem. This poem has many repetitions. In stanza two: assonance plays an important role
in the stanza. (as was, grassy, wanted, passing, as, that, having, and had). In stanza three:
the rhyme of stanza three also represents "A" assonance with an alternation between long
and short As. Assonance “I” is also repeated (I doubted if I should ever come back). In stanza
four, “I” and “A” sounds are repeated.
Cacophony is the use of harsh sounds such as “Ts”, “Ks” and “Chs” to add meaning
and foreshadows the coming to an unpleasant event in the poem. But in this poem, these
sounds do not add meaning. The cacophonies in this poem are “t” and “tt”.
Consonance that is remarked in this poem is overall through “w” “th” and “f” sounds
are repeated at many places in the poem. In stanza four: there is "ll" and "g" consonance in
this stanza. See shall, telling, all, and repetition of ages along with diverged.
Alliteration: In stanza two, line 3, "wanted wear" is alliteration. W is at the
beginning of both words produce a beautiful effect on the reader. In the same way in stanza 3,
line 3, in “first for” f is alliteration.
Onomatopoeia: The word ‘sigh’ in stanza four emphasizes the poet’s depression/
sadness/ happiness for the consequence of the decision he made.
Regarding imagery, Robert Frost uses different images to describe the atmosphere and
surroundings of the scene for the reader to understand and know the correct situation of the
problem. The first line of stanza one: -“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood” First and
second line of stanza three:-“And both that morning equally lay” and “In leaves, no step had
trodden black”. The images used in the above three quoted lines help the readers to visualize
and know the current situation of the poet. There is also a little bit of auditory or sound
imagery when the poet sighs.
Personification: In stanza two, line 3: -“Because it was grassy and wanted wear”
“Wantedwear” is a personification because “wanted” is a human quality. Personification is the
giving of human characteristics to non-human/non-living things. As we know that a road
cannot have a desire to want wear. Thus personifies the path, giving it desires.
The author uses antithesis while deciding which road he wants to travel. He wants to
travel both but realizes it's impossible because he can travel on one road at a time. The second
stanza is showing antithesis. Frost, in this stanza, is saying that one road is better than the

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other because it is less travelled. Then he says that both roads are equally worn and travelled.
This fits the definition of antithesis.
The whole poem is a metaphor. A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or
phrase is applied to a person, idea, or object to which it is not applicable. The poet is,
therefore, comparing the paths in life to the choices one must make when reaching a
crossroads. The poem speaks of the actual choices in life as roads one must choose to take.
Metaphorically, the roads simply represent choice in life. The roads diverged is a metaphor
describing the turning points in life when people have the opportunity to decide and choose a
path in their life. The metaphor of the road is used throughout the poem. The fork in the road
is used as a metaphor throughout the poem; therefore it is an extended metaphor. In line 1, the
roads diverged’ is a metaphor describing the turning points in life when people have the
opportunity to decide and choose a path in their life. In line 6, the poet thinks about one road
but takes another. Here Robert frost used this as a metaphor for meditation of his choices
before deciding. In lines 4-5 the road is used as a metaphor for the future. We can see the
consequences of our choices and decisions in near future just like the poet. In lines 13-15, the
poet wants to travel on both roads but he is unable to travel both at a time. Once he selected
the road, then he is unable to come back again to this place. Here the road is used as a
metaphor for a decision that changes everything. In lines18, the recurrence of the first line
takes us back to the beginning of the extended metaphor (two roads). In line 19, one of the
roads is selected which is less travelled which has made all the difference and this choice has
changed the life of the poet.
Nature is also used as a metaphor in the poem. In line 1, the woods are yellow means
that is an autumn season or a metaphor for making decisions in old age. In line 5, the woods
are thick enough and a road can disappear in the undergrowth. Metaphorically, the
undergrowth represents the future of the poet is unclear. The poet used lines 7-8 not only to
represent nature, but they are also a metaphor for a decision that is made by only a few people
like the poet. In lines 11-12, the metaphor of morning, leaves, and steps is used. The next day,
in the morning, the leaves equally covered both the roads, and no road is travelled but they are
looking equal. This situation confused the poet in better decision-making. Before this, the
poet has mentioned that one road is less travelled. In line 18, the first line is repeated (Two
roads diverged in a wood, and I) here shows that nature is still important to the poet.
Symbolism is a stylistic device used by poets/writers to give deeper meaning and
reference. A symbol is an object or action that represents something else and more than its
literal meanings. In this poem following symbols are used to enhance the effect of the poem
The road`s symbol is the most important symbol which symbolizes the journey of life.
However, it signifies not only the journey but also the destination. According to the poet,
sometimes the journey itself is the destination. The road that is caught in the undergrowth
indicates entanglement with obstacles. “Two roads diverged” perhaps represent the strongest
symbolism used in the poem where on the surface it may seem that Frost is talking about a
division in the road, but in reality, he is talking about choices people face in their lives. The
road that is gone in the undergrowth symbolizes a muddle with difficulties.
The concept of two choices is a thought-provoking one. By presenting the two choices
he may be implying that one is wrong and the other right or that one is superior to the other or

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one is traditional while the other is a special one. One choice is considered default and
natural; the other is unnatural and deviant.
The image of woods signifies ‘indecision’ as the poet is lost searching for answers.
The image of 'woods' has represented indecision in Frost's other poems too. The yellow colour
of the woods points to autumn. Autumn is symbolic of incipient decay and stagnation. The
poet also experiences a sense of stagnation as he cannot progress forward to make a decision.
The Decision-making process is exposed in the line "Somewhere ages and ages hence"
symbolizes that the problem to decide the right path is not only difficult for the present time
but it will also be difficult for future generations. The difference between time and space
gives the poem a universal touch. "And looked down one as far as I could" signifies that the
poet does not choose the path blindly but he meditates and thinks deeply while taking
decisions. It means that according to the poet it is not just a routine and common matter. The
future life depends on one’s decision. The words "Way leads on to way” symbolize the poet's
confusion.
Robert Frost ends the poem with a sigh which implies that the decision taken by him
may be wrong or right. But his decision has made all the difference in his life (And that has
made all the difference).
There are some denotations found in the text: Road -a long hard and the smoothed
surface made for travelling and transportation, way, path; wood: a large area of trees;
difference: dissimilarity; passing: going by; traveler: a person or thing that travels; yellow:
yellow trees, name of a colour; diverged roads: forked or separated roads, dark woods: thick
forest.
There are also some examples of connotations: decision (choice, carrier, path of life),
wood (maze, difficulty), difference (strange, new, not right), passing (instantaneous; not
fixed), traveler (lost, tired), yellow (autumn, old age), irresolution, madness, sickness;
diverged roads (much greater and more distinct parting, difference), dark woods (fear or lack
of knowledge, difficult to find way).
This choice-making problem is not the problem of the poet but decision making is a
challenging affair for every human being. Before accepting this challenge, everyone feels
himself in a situation of confusion, chaos, hesitation, and indecision. Choice-making in life
demands fair attention, insight, knowledge, and intellect. By taking all the possible measures
and using intellect, the choice and selection don't need to be right, it may be wrong (I shall be
telling this with a sigh). The problem of the poet becomes a universal problem.
The poem is very carefully constructed and brings to mind the act of trying to balance
something not given over easily to being balanced. The poem is not so much about making a
decision, but about the art of indecision. The poet cannot easily conclude what he is seeing
before him, let alone a rational decision about which route to take. He repeatedly contradicts
himself in his assessment, even after he has made his decision. He cannot know that he has
taken the road less travelled by because he has no idea of what lies along the other road.
Likewise, he has no evidence that all will end well. He expects a positive outcome though he
still does not know what exactly the outcome will entail. Finally, only the poet himself will
know what the poem truly means. It is rather what we perceive that makes a poem. Therefore,
there can be hundreds of interpretations and everyone may be right. Interpretations should

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never be stated as fact, especially in instances where so many different views are possible.
Stylistics is a useful tool for anybody interpreting literary texts.

REFERENCES
Language and Style in Soyinka: A systematic Text and Linguistic Study of Literary
Dialect. Ibadan: Heinemann Educational Books. Birch, D. (1989),
Language, literature, and critical practice: Ways of Analysing text, London and Newyork:
Routledge. Carter, R. (1988), What is Stylistics and why can we teach it in different ways
Introducing Stylistics, London & New York: Unwin Hyman Ltd. Lawal, R. A. (1997),
Pragmatics in Stylistics: A Speech –Act Analysis of Soyinka’s 5. Telephone Conversation,
R.A Lawal (ed.)
A linguistic guide to English Poetry, London: LongmanLeech, G. and Short, M.H. (1981),
Understanding Syntax, London & UK: Holder Education Ltd. Widdowson, H.G. (1975),
Stylistics and the teaching of literature, London: Longman Group Ltd. Wordsworth,
W.Coleridge, S.T.(1989). Preface To The Lyrica Ballads. Lahore: Kitab Mahal.
http://www.frostfriends.org/meter.html
http://www.frostfriends.org/tutorial-poetics.html

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APPENDIX
“The Road Not Taken”
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves, no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
(Robert Frost)