Activity Overview
For this activity, students will analyze a part of "The Road Not Taken. Students should think about what Frost means to say in these lines, in more “kid friendly” terms. Students will make a 1 cell storyboard, depicting the meaning of the part that they have chosen. Teachers may choose to have students analyze different parts of the poem to expand the assignment.
Analysis Examples
“And both that morning equally lay in leaves no step had trodden black.” This means that both paths had not yet been muddied by footsteps.
”Two roads diverged in a wood, and sorry I could not travel both and be one traveler, long I stood.” This means that they stood for a long time, contemplating which path they should take.
”Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back.” The speaker is saying that they will most likely not be able to come back to the other road, because the path they takes will lead to other paths, and then to other paths, and so on. They will eventually be far from the two original choices.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective:Make a single cell storyboard that analyzes and illustrates a part of the poem.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the heading, write the line or lines of the poem.
- Illustrate each example using scenes, characters, and items.
- In the description box, write what you think the line or lines mean.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 5 Points | Emerging 3 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | The descriptions are clear and at least two sentences. | The descriptions can be understood but it are somewhat unclear. | The descriptions are unclear and are not at least two sentences. |
| Illustrations | The illustrations represent the descriptions using appropriate scenes, characters and items. | The illustrations relate to the descriptions, but are difficult to understand. | The illustrations do not clearly relate to the descriptions. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
| Conventions | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are somewhat correct. | Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly incorrect. |
How to Integrate 'The Road Not Taken' into a Thematic Literary Curriculum on Choices and Consequences
Introducing the Theme and Poem
Begin the lesson by engaging students in a discussion about the impact of choices in their own lives, introducing the overarching theme of choices and consequences. Follow this with a reading of "The Road Not Taken," encouraging students to share their initial thoughts and identify specific lines that resonate with them, especially concerning choices.
Comparative Literary Analysis
Introduce additional literary works that explore similar themes, such as excerpts from novels, short stories, or other poems. Divide the class into small groups, assigning each group a different text to compare with Frost's poem. Each group will discuss and take notes on how their assigned text portrays choices and their outcomes, comparing and contrasting it with "The Road Not Taken."
Group Presentations and Class Discussion
Allocate time for each group to present their comparative analysis to the class. Encourage interactive discussions, allowing students to question and build on each other's presentations. Lead a comprehensive class discussion, drawing connections between the different texts, Frost’s poem, and the students' personal experiences with choices.
Reflective Writing Exercise
Conclude the lesson with a reflective writing exercise. Ask students to write a short essay or personal narrative about a significant choice they have made, relating it to the themes discussed. Provide an opportunity for students to share their stories with the class, fostering an environment of personal expression and empathy.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Road Not Taken - Analysis
What is the main theme of "The Road Not Taken"?
The main theme of Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken" centers around the concept of choices and their repercussions in life. The poem delves into the process of decision-making and its inherent uncertainty and reflects on how the choices we make can shape our life's journey. While it's often interpreted as a narrative about the importance of choosing a unique or less traveled path, the poem also subtly explores the nuances of regret, contemplation, and the human tendency to reflect on what might have been. Frost's nuanced approach leaves the poem open to multiple interpretations, but the central theme remains the profound impact of our choices and the paths we decide to take or leave behind.
What is the meaning of the poem's first line, "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood"?
The opening line of "The Road Not Taken," "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood," sets the stage for the poem's exploration of choice and decision-making. The "two roads" symbolize divergent paths or options in life, each leading to different outcomes. The imagery of a "yellow wood" suggests an autumn setting, a time often associated with change and transition, further emphasizing the moment of decision that the narrator faces. This line introduces the central metaphor of the poem, with the roads representing the choices we encounter in our lives, and the act of choosing itself, with all its inherent doubts and possibilities.
Can the poem be interpreted in ways other than focusing on life choices?
While the primary interpretation of "The Road Not Taken" revolves around the theme of life choices and their consequences, the poem also lends itself to other readings. Some interpretations focus on the concept of individualism versus conformity, suggesting that the poem is a commentary on the value of taking a path that is less conventional. Others see it as an exploration of the human condition, delving into the nature of regret, introspection, and the complexity of the human psyche. The poem’s reflective tone and ambiguous ending allow for interpretations that touch on existential themes, such as the search for meaning and the nature of fate and destiny. Frost’s subtle and layered writing thus opens the poem to a variety of interpretations beyond the literal crossroads in a yellow wood.
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