Question

The literal meaning of "The Road Not Taken" is that a person comes to a fork in the road and decides to take the less traveled path. In a paragraph, describe the figurative meaning of the poem. Identify the type of figurative language used, and support your answer with details from the poem.

Answer 1

The figurative meaning of the poem is the exact moment when a person needs to make a decision and has two or more options.

The figurative meaning in this part of the poem: "Tho roads diverged in a yellow wood....and I look down as far as I could", invite us to see the moment one person is faced when a decision and as far as he/she can see, there is no clarity for making the right "call".

When a person makes a choice, there is always the element of uncertainty. And must of the people looks for guidance and many times they just decide what is commonly option or traditional formula, instead to take a risk and walk the road less taken.

The person in the poem regretted not taking the road that might have offered the best opportunities. But it happens all the time. After a decision is made, people often regret it and think so much about the other options.

Answer 2

In this poem the writer says two roads diverge in a yellow wood. Two roads are metaphor and represents our choices in life.Everybody has to make a decision in this life and some of them make up our fate and we can't ever turn back again.In the poem,the author also is in dilemma about which to choose cause both roads seem the same to him.It can happen to everyone since we dont know exactly where our choices will take us.The poet at the end of the poem says he took the less traveled by which means not taken much by others maybe because of its risks, hardships,obstacles etc.Even if he seems hesitant at the beginning ,he doesn't regret his choice as he says 'That made all the difference'.We can also infer from the poem if u want to make a difference in life,do not follow the crowd. Be the director of your own path in this life.