“The Road Not Taken”
Robert Frost
Answer Key
1. (a) What clues tell you the season during which the poem takes place?
The phrase “yellow wood” indicates a changing of the leaves, which would suggest
FALL/AUTUMN.
(b) How is the season related to the theme?
Fall/Autumn suggests a later stage in life when people tend to reflect on their choices
2. (a) What time of day is it?
Morning (“Both that morning equally lay”)
(b) Why do you think Frost chose this time of day for the poem?
Morning symbolizes the beginning of life and the opportunity to make a fresh start.
3. Why might the speaker want to travel both roads?
The speaker may be curious as to where both “roads” lead.
4. What does Frost mean by the line “Yet knowing how way leads on to way”?
The line suggests how one “choice” leads to another choice, which will gradually define a person’s
life and make it harder to turn back and change.
5. (a) Does the speaker think that he will ever return to the fork in the road?
No (“I doubted if I should ever come back”).
(b) Do you think that he wants to return? Explain.
Accept reasonable student supported responses.
6. Rhyme Scheme
Stanza 1:
abaab
Stanza 2:
cdccd
Stanza 3:
efeef
Stanza 4:
ghggh
*The rhyme scheme
follows the same
pattern throughout
all four stanzas.
7. What thoughts and feelings are expressed in this poem?
The speaker experiences feelings such as doubt, curiosity, regret/pride, contentment/discontent,
satisfaction/dissatisfaction.
8. What do you think is the primary theme in “The Road Not Taken”?
Choices have the potential to permanently alter a person’s life.
9. Is the theme stated directly or implied? Explain.
The theme of “The Road Not Taken” is implied;the theme can be inferred though the metaphorical
meaning of the poem (pathschoices).