The Use Of Setting In 'The Road Not Taken' By Robert Frost

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Poetry is a diverse and rich form of literature that allows one to openly express or leave underlying messages about any topic the author chooses. Poets have a variety of tools that act as multipliers, increasing the depth of the message the poet is expressing. Imagery and setting are often used most freely as the two have unlimited potential. Robert Frost capitalizes on that potential and is considered to be the one of the greatest American poets of all time. Frost implores the utilization of isolation and setting to give the reader a sense of personalized immersion. Frost’s use of setting in particular is most lucidly illustrated in his iconic works: “The Road not Taken”, “To E.T.” and “Stopping by woods on a Snowy Evening.” Juxtaposed with Frost’s typical rural settings, Frost, for the most part, grew up in the city. He graduated from Lawerence High School and went on to attend Dartmouth College. Frost reluctantly worked several jobs, including factory labor. However, it was not until 1912 would Frost begin writing his most successful literature. For …show more content…

Reiterating the point made before, “To E.T.” is a requiem in remembrance of Frost’s close friend Edward Thomas, and therefore the purpose of the poem is straight forward, to remember a fallen friend. Whereas “The Road not Taken” is a less personal poem and describes the choices before humans in society. One could take the same path as the majority or find a path not necessarily easy to traverse but can lead to great achievement (Lentricchia). Frost himself makes a reference to his own life in this poem, the path less traveled being living the life of a poem. Dissimilarly, “Stopping by woods on a Snowy Evening” is a poem of the human struggle. One might find it easier to stop the journey of life early and rest but one with strength will persevere through the ups and downs of life-“and miles to go before I sleep”

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