The Road Not Taken Essay examples -- Literary Analysis, Robert Frost

Robert Frost’s â€Å"The Road Not Taken† has touched the hearts of people all over America and has rightfully earned its place in the American literary canon. Written in 1916 by one of the greatest poets in American history; Robert Frost uses an unique metrical form that brings nature to life and a gives the reader a firm understanding of the rural lifestyle. Inspired by his friend Edward Thomas, Robert Frost’s â€Å"The Road Not Taken† pits a man against two paths for which a difficult choice must be made. After that man makes his choice he tells the reader â€Å"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference† (Frost). The man does not reveal whether he made the right choice; all he tells the reader is that his choice made a significant impact on his life. For decades, various literary critics have analyzed this piece of writing trying to uncover its true meaning. Many scholars hav e found this piece to be a truly inspirational work while others have pictured it nothing more than an ironic tale of right and wrong. Alexander Meiklejohn is one scholar who used Robert Frost’s poem to teach others about making the right choices. Katherine Kearns, on the other hand, feels that the poem does not live up to its popularity. The viewpoints and criticisms regarding this unique piece of literature stretch far and wide, proving that Robert Frost’s poem has intrigued readers for decades. A large volume of criticisms have emerged that offer new perspectives for readers to explore as they continue to read â€Å"The Road Not Taken† for decades to come. Alexander Meiklejohn found Frost’s poem to be a truly inspirational work. Meiklejohn was a philosopher and well-educated teacher. His views on life refl... ...terpretations of the story will vary. Robert Faggen takes this criticism a step further and relates the poem to Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution and how species evolved by making difficult choices through their existence. Karen Kearns represents those critics who do not feel strongly about Robert Frost’s poem. Though many critics can agree Robert Frost’s poem illustrates various levels of irony; Kearns finds it ironic that â€Å"The Road not Taken†, a mediocre poem at best, is being regarded as one of the most popular poems in the American literary canon. The criticisms for this poem will never end as long as people continue to make difficult choices in their lives. After reading the â€Å"The Road not Taken,† one can form their own criticisms about what path is right for them; whether it means taking the road bent in the undergrowth or embarking on the road not taken.