Class 9 English - The Road Not Taken ( Questions and Answers)(#cbsenotes)(#eduvictors)

The Road Not Taken

Q & A

The poem is a metaphor about the dilemma of making decisions that we have to make in our lives.

Poet: Robert Frost (March 26, 1874 – January 29, 1963)

Q1: Where does the traveller find himself? What problem does he face?

Answer: The traveller finds himself standing and waiting before the two diverged roads in the yellow wood. Robert Frost feels confused and faces the problem in deciding the appropriate road to be travelled on. Both the roads seem fair to him but it is difficult for him to determine which road can lead to his favour. Metaphorically, the poet is in the dilemma state of choosing the right choice for his future endeavours. 

Q2: Discuss what these phrases mean to you?

i) a yellow wood:

ii) it was grassy and wanted wear:

iii) the passing there

iv)leaves no step had trodden black

v) how way leads on to the way

Answer:

i) a yellow wood:

Assonance is used in the letter 'o' in 'yellow wood' to emphasise the description of the forest which has yellow leaves all around depicting the autumn season. Symbolically, it relates to the struggles and hardships of life.

ii) it was grassy and wanted wear:

The road was full of grass and was personified by wanting wear and tear on its surface, relating to the unexplored opportunity provided to the poet to be travelled on. It was a smooth grassy road having perhaps the better claim for the passengers for their journey on that path.

iii) the passing there

'The passing there' refers to the passerby who has travelled either of the roads. 

iv) leaves no step had trodden black

The phrase ' in leaves, no step had trodden black' visualises the less travelled by road which was still grassy having the uncertainty in the travel.  The second road carried the risks, leading to the fear of choosing it as it was seldom travelled by the few. 

v) how way leads on to the way

One path leads to another path. Travelling on one road will bend to the other roads and so-on, so-forth. The phrase emphasises how certain decisions one chooses to pave the way for many other opportunities and there are very fewer chances to come back, next to no probable time for a return.

Q3: Is there any difference between the two roads as the poet describes them 

(i) in stanzas two and three? 

(ii) in the last two lines of the poem?

Answer: 

i) Robert Frost's dilemma state of mind is shown where to him, both the roads seem fair enough to be travelled upon yet feeling the better claim on the second road. Both the roads were worn about the same and were equally laid, still, the second road was smooth and grassy in which leaves no step had trodden black. According to the poet's view, both the roads or the choices had equal opportunities and scope in the near future. Yet the less travelled grassy road had uncertainties which lured the poet in determining the perhaps better exploration with the spice of thrill and adventure of risks.

ii) Frost chose the road less travelled by which created the difference in his journey of life. It seems to be a positive outcome, but can't be assured of. 

☛See also

The Road Not Taken (Poem Summary)
The Road Not Taken (MCQs)
The Road Not Taken (Q & A)