Correct option is A
Explanation:
The given stanza is from the famous poem "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost, one of the most well-known American poets. This poem is often interpreted as a metaphor for life and the choices we make.
In these lines, the poet describes coming across a fork in the road while walking through a forest. He initially believes that one road appears less traveled because it is “grassy and wanted wear,” meaning it looks as though fewer people have walked on it. However, he soon realizes that, in reality, both roads have been worn about the same. Despite this realization, he still decides to take what he perceives as the less traveled road, making a decision that he believes will shape his future.
The poet is drawn to the road that appears less used, symbolizing a choice that not many people make in life. This highlights the poem’s theme of individualism and the significance of choices. The poet suggests that he chooses a different path because he does not want to follow the crowd. However, the line "Had worn them really about the same" suggests that, in reality, both choices were equally viable.
This idea is an important reflection on decision-making—sometimes we believe our choices are unique, but in the grand scheme of things, they may not be as different as we think.
Information Booster:
Robert Frost (1874–1963) was an American poet known for his deep connection with rural life and the use of nature as a metaphor for human experiences.
He is regarded as one of the greatest poets in American literature and won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry four times.
His poetry often explores themes of nature, choices, isolation, and philosophical reflections on life.
"The Road Not Taken"
- Published in: 1916, as part of the poetry collection Mountain Interval.
- The poem consists of four stanzas with five lines each (quintains), written in iambic tetrameter with a rhyme scheme of ABAAB.
- It is narrative and philosophical poetry.
Key Literary Devices: - Metaphor: The roads symbolize life choices.
- Imagery: Vivid descriptions of the roads and surroundings help the reader visualize the scene.
- Symbolism: The road taken and the road not taken represent decisions in life and their consequences.
Themes of the Poem: - Choice and Consequence: The poet emphasizes how decisions shape a person’s life.
- Individualism: The idea of taking a different path signifies the importance of independent thought and unique life experiences.
- Regret and Reflection: The poem suggests that people often look back on their choices, sometimes with a sense of wonder or regret.
- The poem describes a traveler who comes across a fork in the road while walking through a forest. He has to choose between two paths, and he picks the one that appears less traveled. Initially, he believes this path is different, but later realizes both roads were actually quite similar. Looking ahead, he predicts that he will later tell people that taking the "less traveled" road made all the difference in his life. The poem explores how decisions shape our lives and how we often justify them in hindsight.
- The phrase "grassy and wanted wear" means that the road looked less traveled because the grass was still fresh and not trampled down. This represents the idea that the poet believes he is choosing a unique and less conventional path in life.
- However, the realization that "Had worn them really about the same" suggests that in reality, the choices we make might not be as drastically different as we assume.
- Many readers assume the poem encourages taking the "road less traveled" as a call to uniqueness and bravery. However, the poem actually questions whether our choices are truly unique or if we simply perceive them that way when reflecting on life.
English
150 Questions
150 Marks
150 Mins
