| Tutorial on How to Analyze a Poem | ||
|
Back The Steps Examples Try on Own |
So you may have an idea on how to analyze the poem, do the following: Read the following poem "The Road not Taken" by Robert Frost. 
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that, the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: two roads diverged in a wood, and I -- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. The literal meaning of this poem by Robert Frost can be different to most people. When first read, some may think that he took the road less traveled by and it gave him the happiness needed. When really, he didn't. He took the wrong path and shall regret doing it. Interpretation: A traveler comes to the bend in the road and needs to decide which way to go in order to continue his journey. After much debating in the head, the traveler picks the road "less traveled by." The figurative meaning is substantial. The poem describes the tough choices people stand for when traveling the road of life. The words "sorry" and "sigh" make the tone of the poet somewhat gloomy. The traveler regrets leaving the possibilities of the road not chosen behind. He realizes he probably won't pass this way again. Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost 
Whose woods these are I think I know.His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow. My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake The darkest evening of the year. He gives his harness bells a shake To ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound's the sweep Of easy wind and downy flake. The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep. Step One: Read through the poem a few times. Step Two: Read the title. Does it give you a clue on the meaning of the poem? Step Three: Are there any unfamiliar words? Step Four: Now read the poem aloud, paying very close attention to the punctuation. Step Five: Bringing you back to step four, watch out for punctuation! It has been highlighted for you. Step Six: Attempt to paraphrase Step Seven: Dont confuse the writer of the poem with the speaker. There are different characters other than the poet. Step Eight: Be open to different ideas of the poem. There isnt only one. Step Nine: There are NO useless words. Pay attention to all. Step Ten: There are many approaches. Most may be different than your own. Be OPEN. In this poem, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," the character, or speaker, stops by woods to absorb a lovely scene. The speaker is highly tempted to stay longer but remembers the obligations he has and the considerable distance to travel before he can rest. The tone of the speaker is in satisfaction, but at the end of the poem, the tone changes and is now a tone of exhaustion. The mood of poem, in lines 14 &15 appeared to be a sign of devotion. (Beginning with "The woods are lovely") The poet uses a great deal of imagery to grasp the scenery that is by far the imaginations' wish. However, for the limited time, and the distance needing to be traveled, the speaker could not grasp the image any longer. For he had a duty. | |