Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” Webquest

JOE HAUNERT

Introduction

Robert Frost’s most famous poem has been interpreted in two different ways for decades. If the poem is taken literally, it has an entirely different meaning than if the poem is read ironically.

Throughout this webquest, you’re going to be asked to make choices. The choices you make will decide which path you take, and different paths will have different pieces of information.

In the end, you will have to make a conclusion about what this poem means.

Task

Imagine you are Frost as he describes himself in this poem. Which path would you take?

The road that “had perhaps the better claim”, or

The road that “bent in the undergrowth”?

Process

You have chosen the safe route. This means that you have chosen to interpret the poem literally. Click here for a literal analysis of the poem that will serve as your guide throughout the rest of your journey.

Now, consider this analysis of Frost’s writings. Why do you think the author called Frost a “frightening poet”? Does it challenge your interpretation?

Continue

You have chosen the road less travelled, which means you have chosen the ironic interpretation of this poem. Click here for an interpretation of the poem that will serve as your guide for the rest of your journey.

Now, consider this analysis of the poem. Why do you think the author puts such an emphasis on fear? Does it challenge your interpretation?

Continue

Process

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have completed your journey down the more often travelled path. By now, you have come to the conclusion that Frost’s poem is  telling us that when we choose the road not taken, we are doing something individual. It makes a real difference when we follow that path and we get to see things we would never have seen. Not only that, but we get to understand things about ourselves that we may not have understood.

Don’t end your journey now, though. Click here to read another of Frost’s poems and consider how it compares and contrasts with “The Road Not Taken”.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully traversed the road less travelled, one of the most grueling passages in all of American literature. By now, you have come to the conclusion that the last two lines of the poem, “I took the one less taken and that made all the difference,” is meant to be read sarcastically--as if to say that it made no difference whatsoever which road was taken.

Don’t end your journey here, though. Click here to read another of Frost’s poems and see if this type if interpretation works as well. Why or why not?

Evaluation

You will be graded on the following:

Provided intelligent responses to the questions asked (5 points)

Worked respectfully with partner (5 points)

Demonstrated an understanding of your conclusion (5 points)