The Road Not Taken is biographical poem. Therefore, some personal biographical information is relevant to the deeper understanding of the poem we have read. Go to www.encarta.com and complete the following worksheet about Robert Frost.

(a) What “momentous decision” was made by Frost in 1912?

(b) How old was he when he had to make this decision?

(c) Why was it so difficult to make this decision? Think and give more than one reason.

(d) Was the “road” Frost had taken easy “to travel”?

(e) Do you think he wrote “The Road Not Taken” before sailing from the USA to England or after?

(f) Can you quote a line or two from the poem that can support your answer?

(g) Do you think Frost finally became popular in America as a poet?

Open in App

Solution

This question is to be answered on the basis of your own understanding, experience and thoughts. It is strongly recommended that you prepare the solution on your own.

Suggest Corrections

Similar questions

1. Have you ever had to make a difficult choice (or do you think you will have difficult choices to make)? How will you make the choice (for what decisions)?

2. After you have made a choice do you always think about what might have been, or do you accept the reality?

How does Frost present nature in this poem? The following questions may help you to think of an answer.

(i) What are the birds that are usually named in poems? Do you think a crow is often mentioned in poems? What images come to your mind when you think of a crow?

(ii) Again, what is “a hemlock tree”? Why doesn’t the poet write about a more ‘beautiful’ tree such as a maple, or an oak, or a pine?

(iii) What do the ‘crow’ and ‘hemlock’ represent − joy or sorrow? What does the dust of snow that the crow shakes off a hemlock tree stand for?

Answer the following questions.

(a) What was strange about the manner in which Mrs. Bramble addressed her son? What did he feel about it?

(b) Why was it necessary to keep Harold’s father’s profession a secret from him?

(d) Describe Mr. Bramble as he has been described in the story.

(e) Why was Mrs. Bramble upset when she came to hear that Bill had decided not to fight?

(f) Who was Jerry Fisher? What did he say to try and convince Bill to change his mind?

(g) How did Harold come to know that his father was a boxer?

(h) Why was Harold upset that his father had not told him about his true identity? Give two reasons.

(i) Do you agree with Harold’s parents’ decision of hiding from him the fact that his father was a boxer? Why/why not?

Discuss the following questions in detail and write the answers in your notebooks:

(a) Do you think the tiger shooting organized by the villagers was a serious affair?

Give reasons for your answer.

(b) Do you think the writer is trying to make fun of the main characters in the story i.e. Mrs. Packletide, Miss Mebbin and Loona Bimberton? Pick out instances from the story that point to this fact.

(c) A person who is vain is full of self importance and can only think of himself/herself and can go to great lengths to prove his/her superiority. Do you think Mrs Packletide is vain? Give reasons in support of your answer.

(d) Sometimes writers highlight certain negative aspects in society or human beings by making fun of it. This is called satire. In your groups discuss whether you would classify this story as a satire. Give reasons to support your answer

(e) How does the writer create humor in this story?

Join BYJU'S Learning Program