The Road Not Taken Notes Chapter 7 English Class 9

Notes For All Chapters English Literature Class 9

In ‘The Road Not Taken ’, Robert Frost makes a fascinating use of two roads as a metaphorfor life. The two roads serve as a metaphor for the choices we make in life. Thus, the roads are, in fact, two alternative ways of life. The choice we make has a far-reaching consequence. The poet leaves the first roadfor the other day knowing well that he will never get a chance to come back to it again in life. He chooses the second road which is less travelled by and this choice has made all the difference in his life.

Poet Standing at a Junction
The poem brings out the importance of making a choice. Frost uses the two roads as metaphors for life. They stand for two choices, two alternative ways of life and two different directions of life. The choice we make, makes ‘all the difference in life’. The poet stands at a junction in a yellow forest. Two roads are branching out in two different directions. He is a single traveller and can’t travel on both the roads at the same time. He looks at the first road as far as he can see, till it bends in the undergrowth.

Two Roads and the Choice
The other road is ‘just as fair as the first one’. But it presents a better claim in one sense. It is grassy and wants wear. The poet is confused. Finally, he resolves the dilemma. He chooses the other road because it is less travelled by. He leaves the first road for another day.

Poet’s Genuine Doubt
Both the roads lie before him covered with the fallen leaves. When the poet leaves the first road for another day, he has also a genuine doubt. He knows how one way leads to the other and one marches on reaching a point of no return. He doubts if he will ever get a chance to walk on the road he has already left.

Choice Has Made All the Difference
It is very difficult to say whether the road we have chosen will lead us to the desired end. It is very difficult to decide on the spur of the moment. Only the poet will be ‘telling this with a sigh’ that his choice has made all the difference in his life. Perhaps the road that was not taken could have proved more rewarding than the road that was taken. But now he can do nothing as his choice is irrevocable.