Which Path Are You?

Author’s Note: In this piece I analyzed the symbolism within the text in the poem The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost. There was symbolism from beginning to end of the poem and that is what helped understand the main point of the poem.

All writing has symbolism, but it is up to you on how you interpret it. In the poem The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost the symbolism throughout the piece really creates a mental image in your head of the tough choices that you have to make in life. As you grow up you are going to have to make a decision that you could regret or you will love. This poem never gave up on the symbolism which added more to the message. 

Right from the begging of the poem the main parts of symbolism are shown when the author adds “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both...”(Stanza 1&2) because you now that looking at the piece the two roads mean the many different ways you can take your life. Not knowing what lies ahead, but once you start the journey, never looking back. Like in the poem you have to pick the “path” that is always best for you and the symbolism describing the paths add more depth to the critical choices you have to make.

As you read the poem, the roads start having many differences, which means the symbolism is expressed differently. “Though as for the passing there…” (Stanza 9) This stanza was an example of a road or path that people have always taken. Following everyone that has went before them, and not creating their own journey. Just being a part of the same-old thing, by following the lead of someone else. “And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear…”(Stanza 7&8) Thinking about this type of path, you know that many people would want to go down it. Knowing that it is already laid out for you without putting any work in. All you have to do is follow its lead. Taking the easy out, you think you have won, but did you really?

Although the straightforward path seems like the best choice, there is always something out there to make your life worth wild. When the poem says “In leaves no steps trodden black…”(Stanza 12) you can tell that no one has ever taken it before. But if you do step outside of your comfort zone, new doors could open in your life. Or being considered a leader, even though it may be risky at first. It is all about taking chances, because you can always defeat a setback. For example in the poem it says “To where it bent in the undergrowth…”(Stanza 5) and the symbolism in this section is the undergrowth meaning, weeds or problems that may get in the way of your path/life. However, overcoming the situation your path can become clear, and your life may turn out better than expected.

At the end of the poem the author added “I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” (Stanza 20&21) and you know that whatever path he chose it was right for him. Wherever you choose to go with your life, is up to you and no matter what, never look back on your decision.

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost 

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

The Trojan Horse Response

In the story The Trojan Horse, the main conflict was what the Trojans were going to do with a huge horse given to them as a present from their worst enemies, the Greek. Some thought to burn it, to show their God’s that they were not going to worship it. Others just thought it was a strange gift and wanted it gone right away. After the town is convinced to bring the horse into their town, unfortunately, you learn that the people who wanted to burn the horse were correct, because the horse was a distraction hiding all of the best Greek soldiers inside to attack the Trojans while they were caught by surprise.

I think things like this could actually happen nowadays. It may not necessarily mean war, but could happen in a more modern way. People have different opinions for everything and like to argue with others to get what they want. At school or work people could get into fights a lot, it maybe not exactly like the story, but very close in the sense of disagreeing. Another possibility could be a per wanting to become close to you and the next thing you know they turn their back on you, just like the story. I have seen many similar situations to the one in the story, but the one that I remember the most was on a television show. Prisoners escaped from jail by using a large object that they could all fit into, resembling to the attack of the Greeks.

Moving Forward

Author’s Note: I made one piece to complete two of my goals which was text analysis and to use text evidence in my writing.  I wrote my piece about the novel Hate List by Jennifer Brown. About a girl stuck in the middle just trying to move forward from a troubling past.

“The list was my idea.  I didn’t want anyone to die.  I didn't mean to be a hero.  Will you ever forgive me?”(Back Cover)  May 2, 2008 seemed like any other ordinary day for Valerie Leftman, let alone any other student who attended Garvin High School.  There were announcements, meeting with friend’s in-between classes, and after school activities; anything a typical student would do.  All until the first shot was fired, but more came after.  Unfortunately May second,  was not your regular type of day.  Author of Hate List Jennifer Brown wrote this novel about a girl in the background—the shooter’s girlfriend, who is just trying to forget the past, but keeps being reminded of the tragic event and a love that could still be.

All summer long Valerie sulked around the house. The devastating shooting turned on her and that’s when her life started to change. She was losing her friends, faith, and hope. Would you try to turn your life back around? Valerie tried to move on, but as school approached again in the fall it could not get any worse for Valerie. “I can’t sit here with her without thinking out the thing, trying to pretend that nothing has ever happened!”(69) When you picture this moment in your mind, you see that she has lost everything. People hardly want to be in the same room as her. Moving on may be the hardest although still the only thing that Valerie can do to improve her life.

While reading the book you realize the depression and pain that Valerie is going through.  All she wanted was for her life to go back to normal, but being “the girl that hates everyone.”(40) was that even an option?  “You may not have pulled the trigger, but you helped cause the tragedy.” (70)  “You saved me! Accident or on purpose, you saved me. Thank you.”(216)  Was she the hero or villain?  As sides were taken, no one was there to help the poor girl who was stuck in the middle of a terrible situation. “She should have committed suicide just like him!” (70)  Everyone blamed Valerie because Nick was gone.

Throughout the entire book, Valerie tries to forget the last time she was able to see the love of her life.  “All I could do was stand there and think the Nick I knew didn’t pull the trigger, the bad Nick did.”(20)  As she hid the feelings, you know that she was only introduced to one side of Nick. However, Valerie, like most high school girls, you are mesmerized by the “romantic” (48) or “charming “(48) side to a guy.  Forgetting “the one” (page 5) can be hard, but since “the scumbag” (51) is the new reputation of Nick, forgetting may be in the best interest for Valerie.

During life, you have to make choices that will help you in the long run.  In the beginning of the book, you knew Valerie as the girl who gave up on going to college, having friends, and having the life she loved. Over the course of the book, she recognizes for her to be happy and be able to move on from the past that she needed to do what was best for her. She was finally able to free herself from the past and began opening new opportunities giving herself a second chance on life.