In this essay I will look for examples of poetic devices such as theme, imagery and tone, in the poem created by Robert Frost "The Road Not Taken". As a literary device, the theme of a poem lies in the meaning of the story it tells. It is the central topic or idea explored in a text. Usually the theme of a literary work can be expressed in one word, such as "love" or "sadness". A poem or text can have more than one theme. The theme is not explicitly stated in the text, but is instead expressed through the actions, words, and thoughts of the characters. This is an excellent example of the theme of the poem "Road Not Taken". This is an ambiguous poem that allows readers to think about the choices they make in life. Robert Frost's work The Road Not Taken conveys a very simple, yet thoughtful theme. The poem describes the problems and choices one must make in life and how those specific decisions affect that person. Frost establishes this theme with the depiction of two paths in the woods. Later in the poem, the author reveals the main character's attributes and personality as he reflects on his past life choices. This characterization helps bridge the gap between the reader and the character, allowing the poem to communicate a deeper meaning. Frost reinforces the figurative presence of the reader in the poem by presenting such diction and setting two paths. The use of such devices once again increases the connection between the reader and the character, forcing Frost's message to become even more insightful. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Another literary aspect that Frost uses to express his tone in the setting. In the poem he states: “Two roads diverged in a yellow forest…”. The phrase “a yellow forest” could be a symbolism of the color radiated by the trees. This suggests that the story takes place in the middle of autumn, most likely, contributing to the sense that time is running out, as in life, for the character. Here, Frost again outlines his tone as he demonstrates the character's rational contemplation and, ultimately, regret. The author further establishes the setting as, in the second stanza, he states: "Then he took the other, equally fair, / And having perhaps the better claim, / For it was grassy and wanted to be worn...". In this section of the poem, it almost seems as if the character unexpectedly wanted life to want him or her to enter into it, as the poem suggests that the grass wanted to be consumed. This is probably one of the reasons why the character feels a sense of regret later in the work. Once again, Frost communicates his solemn and contemplative tone by familiarizing the reader with the character's experiences. Consequently, poetic devices can be said to be tools that a poet can use to create or enhance the meaning of a poem, or intensify a mood or feeling. . These devices help put the poem together. Works CitedFrost, R. (1916). The road not taken. In the mountain range. Henry Holt and Company.Bloom, H. (eds.). (2010). Robert Frost (Bloom's Modern Critical Views). Infobase Publishing.Pritchard, W. H. (1966). Frost: A Literary Life Reconsidered. Oxford University Press. Lentricchia, F. (1997). Robert Frost: Modern Poetics and the Landscapes of the Self. Duke University Press. Galbraith, H. W. (1978). The Poetry of Movement by Robert Frost. The Sewanee Review, 86(3), 448-465. Fagan, D. L. (2015). The Road Not Taken: Finding America in the Poetry Everyone Loves and Almost Everyone Gets Wrong. The University.
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