THE ROAD NOT TAKEN, Robert Frost (Exercise)

THE ROAD NOT TAKEN, Robert Frost

A. ANSWER THE QUESTIONS.

1. What was the narrator sorry about?

The narrator was sorry about his/her inability to travel both the roads.

2. How long did he stand at the fork of the road?

He stood there for a long time unable to decide as to which road to take.

3. What did he do as he stood there?

He looked down both the roads as far as he could and chose to take the road less travelled.

4. Why was he unable to see the end of the road?

The road bent in the undergrowth; hence he was unable to see it.

5. Was there a difference in the two roads? Support your answer with examples.

The second road was grassy and wanted wear. There it indicates, it was not travelled by. In the contrary, the first road, had already been travelled and had left the trail of movements.

B. CHOOSE THE RIGHT OPTIONS.

1. The roads in the poem stand for

a. challenges in life.

b. choices in life. (√)

c. sufferings in life.

d. progress of life.

2. Yet knowing how way leads on to way. This line means that

a. one profession leads to another.

b. one choice leads to another. (√)

c. one city takes you to another.

C. THINK AND ANSWER.

1. Was the narrator happy about his decision? Why?

From the poem it is not vivid if the narrator was happy or sad; but he chose to take the path less travelled by. What we come to know from here is, that he had accepted the fate of his choice and did not regret. Therefore ‘Was he happy or sad’, we would come to know somewhere ages and ages from then when he would tell us about it.

2. What is the message of the poem?

Robert Frost’s ‘The Road Not taken’ deals with the complexities of life. Life provides many options and sooner or later, everyone is bound to make choices. Most of the people choose the least risky and off-trodden ways of life. Only a few persons like the poet dare to choose a different path of life. They are bold enough to face risks and challenges in life. The success or failure in life depends on his choice.

D. READ THESE LINES FROM THE POEM AND ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS.

1. And looked down one as far as I could,

To where it bent in the undergrowth:

a. What is the narrator really looking at?

He is looking at the roads before he takes one to follow.

b. What does ‘undergrowth’ refer to here?

It refers to the bushes and plants that grow around and under trees.

2. And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

a. What does ‘better claim’ really mean?

In the poem the poet wants something unusual and different in his life, hence he takes the road where no one goes. Such road according to him has full of differences and adventures.

b. Why did it have a better claim?

In   the   poem   the   poet   wanted   some   adventure   in   his   life and takes   the   road where no one had gone; and hence called it had better claim.  For him the road never travelled by anyone, could bring lot of discoveries through it.

c. What is the inner meaning of ‘wanted wear’?

In "The Road Not Taken", the phrase 'wanted wear' means that the path has not been as broken-in by passing travellers.

3. I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

a. Why does the narrator ‘sigh’?

The narrator foresees ‘what would be the outcome for choosing the road not travelled by anyone’. And as in the future he would look back about this choice; probably with all its disappointments and mistakes and regrets he is likely to tell his story with a sigh.

b. What does ‘ages and ages’ mean?

“…ages and ages” means someday in future, when he would probably be old and telling this stories about the choice he had made on this day.

E. DISCUSS IN CLASS.

1. Once we make a choice, we often regret it. Comment.

In my opinion this statement depends upon the ability of an individual to discern well. Not everyone is capable of making a good choice. Decision, made hurriedly without enough reason and reflection; most likely leads to regret. Choices made with proper discernment, precaution and preparation can make one’s life fruitful and satisfying. Therefore, how the choice is made matters the most.

2. We create our own destiny by the choices we make. Do you agree? Why?

We do not really know where a road will lead us until we take it. There are no guarantees. This is one of the most important things we need to realize about life. Nobody said that choosing to do the right thing would always lead us to happiness. There are many possible outcomes, which we cannot control. It is only after we have made a decision and reflected on it; we realize its soundness. If the consequences or outcomes are good for us, then we have decided correctly. Otherwise, our decision was wrong. We must trust ourself and make that decision.

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