[Winter Contest Entry 2014] Interpreting Robert Frost's Poem
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Just an interpretation of one of my favorite poems.
It's just my take on 'The Road Not Taken' by Robert Frost.
I recommend reading the poem before reading my interpretation
added the link for you to read -> here
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I guess, the thing I understand about this poem, and which impacted me the most, lies in the last stanza. Taking the road less traveled by, and all of those had made the difference. The rest of the poem, from the beginning until the end gave me some of the most profound, beautiful words that I've read. It also made me reminisce about myself, how I often contemplate, on how I actually walked that one road less traveled by.
Well, I could say this poem totally defines my life. I started out as a young traveler, looking down at two intersections. I was guided towards the path often traveled, until it diverges into something unknown, something insecure—in which leading to things I don't like. There I decided to turn back, onto the other path. I felt something new and fresh, in a place less traveled by. Maybe, taking this path will lead me to a paradise, and the walk would feel so light and revitalizing.
No, that's not the case. It had worn me down about the same. I still stressed out, I still cried and lots of ups and downs befell me. Nothing much seem to have changed. I might have felt more freedom and happiness, but also more frustrations within each day. I kept walking forward, towards the untrodden path, until it goes on so much, seemingly endless. The only thing that made my feet move, was a belief, that someday, in a path I walked onto, there will be hope.
Before I realized, I have come to a point of no return. I have walked so far, and there's no telling what will happen if I actually turned back, and walked the other path once more. There's no other choice for me—I must walk forward. It sure was a tiring travel, in all of these years. Nothing to really brag about, but I finally felt relieved, that I've done the right thing. Following my heart and keep walking that road less traveled.
It was that decision which made all of the difference in my life right now, and I'm proud of that decision I made few years back. Even if frustration befell me so many times over, I know, that I will reap the fruit of all hopes I sowed.
I guess this is the interpretation of my favorite poem.
Sorry if it's just something simple and short, with nothing much going on, but I guess this is just, everything I want to write.
Thanks for reading.
It's just my take on 'The Road Not Taken' by Robert Frost.
I recommend reading the poem before reading my interpretation
added the link for you to read -> here
===
I guess, the thing I understand about this poem, and which impacted me the most, lies in the last stanza. Taking the road less traveled by, and all of those had made the difference. The rest of the poem, from the beginning until the end gave me some of the most profound, beautiful words that I've read. It also made me reminisce about myself, how I often contemplate, on how I actually walked that one road less traveled by.
Well, I could say this poem totally defines my life. I started out as a young traveler, looking down at two intersections. I was guided towards the path often traveled, until it diverges into something unknown, something insecure—in which leading to things I don't like. There I decided to turn back, onto the other path. I felt something new and fresh, in a place less traveled by. Maybe, taking this path will lead me to a paradise, and the walk would feel so light and revitalizing.
No, that's not the case. It had worn me down about the same. I still stressed out, I still cried and lots of ups and downs befell me. Nothing much seem to have changed. I might have felt more freedom and happiness, but also more frustrations within each day. I kept walking forward, towards the untrodden path, until it goes on so much, seemingly endless. The only thing that made my feet move, was a belief, that someday, in a path I walked onto, there will be hope.
Before I realized, I have come to a point of no return. I have walked so far, and there's no telling what will happen if I actually turned back, and walked the other path once more. There's no other choice for me—I must walk forward. It sure was a tiring travel, in all of these years. Nothing to really brag about, but I finally felt relieved, that I've done the right thing. Following my heart and keep walking that road less traveled.
It was that decision which made all of the difference in my life right now, and I'm proud of that decision I made few years back. Even if frustration befell me so many times over, I know, that I will reap the fruit of all hopes I sowed.
I guess this is the interpretation of my favorite poem.
Sorry if it's just something simple and short, with nothing much going on, but I guess this is just, everything I want to write.
Thanks for reading.
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This takes back. I had to write an essay about this poem in sixth grade.
You should probably include a link to the poem for people too lazy to look it up themselves.
As for this entry, I think it's more about how the poem has impacted you rather than your interpretation of it. It helps me get to know you better as a person, but it doesn't go into any specifics, which could either weaken or strengthen it depending on how you'd go about adding them.
You should probably include a link to the poem for people too lazy to look it up themselves.
As for this entry, I think it's more about how the poem has impacted you rather than your interpretation of it. It helps me get to know you better as a person, but it doesn't go into any specifics, which could either weaken or strengthen it depending on how you'd go about adding them.
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d(^_^)(^_^)d wrote...
This takes back. I had to write an essay about this poem in sixth grade.You should probably include a link to the poem for people too lazy to look it up themselves.
As for this entry, I think it's more about how the poem has impacted you rather than your interpretation of it. It helps me get to know you better as a person, but it doesn't go into any specifics, which could either weaken or strengthen it depending on how you'd go about adding them.
hahaha, i guess i only know of interpretation as describing how the poem speaks to me. in any way, i don't really have something much other than writing what you just read right now.
thanks for dropping by :D
added the link to the poem in the first post.
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Very nice interpretation. It pretty much sums up what the poem wants to tell the reader and I like how you barely lost the color of Robert Frost's poem when you made the interpretation. Making it into a narrative was a really wise course of action considering the message of the poem.
Job well done!
Job well done!
1
Interresting read, I must say I waited until now with commenting since I preferred to make my own interpretation of the poem, so my mind was not sullied by other people's thoughts when I read it (I do not mean it in a bad way, but I prefer to read something without having the description of the work premade, since it subconciously will affect the experience).
How I see it is that one should stay true to oneself at any point, since when time comes and you reflect on your life thus far, you will not regret anything. The conclusion is that we interpreted it more or less in the same way, but if I had read your interpretation first I might have questioned if I really thought was or I was being manipulated by your words.
It is a beautiful poem and I can see why you like it so much.
How I see it is that one should stay true to oneself at any point, since when time comes and you reflect on your life thus far, you will not regret anything. The conclusion is that we interpreted it more or less in the same way, but if I had read your interpretation first I might have questioned if I really thought was or I was being manipulated by your words.
It is a beautiful poem and I can see why you like it so much.
Spoiler:
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RavenxSinon wrote...
Very nice interpretation. It pretty much sums up what the poem wants to tell the reader and I like how you barely lost the color of Robert Frost's poem when you made the interpretation. Making it into a narrative was a really wise course of action considering the message of the poem.Job well done!
thanks mang, glad you like it :D
Chiligyro wrote...
Interresting read, I must say I waited until now with commenting since I preferred to make my own interpretation of the poem, so my mind was not sullied by other people's thoughts when I read it (I do not mean it in a bad way, but I prefer to read something without having the description of the work premade, since it subconciously will affect the experience).How I see it is that one should stay true to oneself at any point, since when time comes and you reflect on your life thus far, you will not regret anything. The conclusion is that we interpreted it more or less in the same way, but if I had read your interpretation first I might have questioned if I really thought was or I was being manipulated by your words.
It is a beautiful poem and I can see why you like it so much.
Spoiler:
i've been holding up to replying your comment before reading it. can't say it was really to my taste and i didn't really understand what it meant (not a fan of poe's works either) but it sure does struck me something i remember. might be one idea that we all live within a dream. life is but a dream, other than that, i can't really grasp the meaning.
it's a good poem, but i guess i'd prefer something with less symbolism and simpler way of conveying the message. thanks for sharing nonetheless.
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leonard267
FAKKU Non-Writer
It is readable. I understood it so that makes it better than well, I can't name names can I? (Apologies to d)
I am somewhat reminded of the remarks of our judges, especially Xenon, about some of the winning entries in past competitions. Xenon said something around those lines, "Your work leaves me begging for more / wanting to know more..." (I don't quite remember)
___________________________________________
(Digression)
These are some of the winning entries in the event last year. While Xenon said he liked them because it left him 'wanting to know more', I have to say that I loathed them. (Apologies to d and FGRaptor)
https://www.fakku.net/forums/writing-and-fanfiction/winter-contest-entry-2013-potato-chips-and-machine-guns
https://www.fakku.net/forums/writing-and-fanfiction/winter-contest-entry-2013-regret
___________________________________________
That is not to say your entry was like theirs. Quite the contrary, I understood what was going on when I read the title and skimmed through the paragraphs. However, they made me feel like wanting to know more. Unlike Xenon, who views this favourably, I don't. I have an obsession over wanting to know everything as you might have guessed from my equally obsessive slamming of whatever d writes.
Allow me to elaborate:
Care to clarify what you don't like?
Care to clarify what you did exactly?
Why? Please clarify.
It was that decision which made all of the difference in my life right now, and I'm proud of that decision I made few years back.
What decision? I am not referring to your decision to 'take the road less travelled by'. I am referring to what you did exactly. Did you decide to give up trying to be Dr. Pervert and instead decided to pursue your lifelong dream of working in the fields and making love to giant cockroaches?
The entry would be much, much longer if you associated it with some event (Giving up becoming Dr. Pervert and deciding to work in the fields for example), real or imagined. I would have of course enjoyed reading it more if you have fleshed out the details of what had happened. You do know that I love anecdotes, especially the ones from you.
To sum up my feelings towards your entry in three words:
"What had happened?"
I am somewhat reminded of the remarks of our judges, especially Xenon, about some of the winning entries in past competitions. Xenon said something around those lines, "Your work leaves me begging for more / wanting to know more..." (I don't quite remember)
___________________________________________
(Digression)
These are some of the winning entries in the event last year. While Xenon said he liked them because it left him 'wanting to know more', I have to say that I loathed them. (Apologies to d and FGRaptor)
https://www.fakku.net/forums/writing-and-fanfiction/winter-contest-entry-2013-potato-chips-and-machine-guns
https://www.fakku.net/forums/writing-and-fanfiction/winter-contest-entry-2013-regret
___________________________________________
That is not to say your entry was like theirs. Quite the contrary, I understood what was going on when I read the title and skimmed through the paragraphs. However, they made me feel like wanting to know more. Unlike Xenon, who views this favourably, I don't. I have an obsession over wanting to know everything as you might have guessed from my equally obsessive slamming of whatever d writes.
Allow me to elaborate:
I was guided towards the path often travelled, until it diverges into something unknown, something insecure—in which leading to things I don't like.
Care to clarify what you don't like?
There I decided to turn back, onto the other path. I felt something new and fresh, in a place less traveled by.
Care to clarify what you did exactly?
No, that's not the case. It had worn me down about the same.
Why? Please clarify.
It was that decision which made all of the difference in my life right now, and I'm proud of that decision I made few years back.
What decision? I am not referring to your decision to 'take the road less travelled by'. I am referring to what you did exactly. Did you decide to give up trying to be Dr. Pervert and instead decided to pursue your lifelong dream of working in the fields and making love to giant cockroaches?
The entry would be much, much longer if you associated it with some event (Giving up becoming Dr. Pervert and deciding to work in the fields for example), real or imagined. I would have of course enjoyed reading it more if you have fleshed out the details of what had happened. You do know that I love anecdotes, especially the ones from you.
To sum up my feelings towards your entry in three words:
"What had happened?"
1
reading some of the lines made me lol
you know, maybe it was something quite uncomfortable for me to talk about, but let me just say it regardless: i decided the normal kind of life was not quite my taste you know: like doing well at school, graduating, working tiresome jobs i don't like, and painstakingly raising a family with a person i probably didn't even love. i was taught by relatives and parents about such way of life and I didn't want to go through it.
so I decided to do things that are fun. following my passion on what I want to do. at start it felt nice and cozy, like when I do when I started the very first writeup of dr. pervert. though, when I went on and on, I feel stressed out a lot, some of them I already told you through PM.
it's not really all that better compared to times before when I was just going with the flow of most others, but if I continue on doing what I always do, I'll get to what I want.
if I could name few things that's enjoyable, it's probably making parodies and writing the kind of stories i like, like that one comic I've shown you before.
that's simply it.
thanks for dropping by man, that comment itself iz gold.
you know, maybe it was something quite uncomfortable for me to talk about, but let me just say it regardless: i decided the normal kind of life was not quite my taste you know: like doing well at school, graduating, working tiresome jobs i don't like, and painstakingly raising a family with a person i probably didn't even love. i was taught by relatives and parents about such way of life and I didn't want to go through it.
so I decided to do things that are fun. following my passion on what I want to do. at start it felt nice and cozy, like when I do when I started the very first writeup of dr. pervert. though, when I went on and on, I feel stressed out a lot, some of them I already told you through PM.
it's not really all that better compared to times before when I was just going with the flow of most others, but if I continue on doing what I always do, I'll get to what I want.
if I could name few things that's enjoyable, it's probably making parodies and writing the kind of stories i like, like that one comic I've shown you before.
that's simply it.
thanks for dropping by man, that comment itself iz gold.
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leonard267
FAKKU Non-Writer
high_time wrote...
reading some of the lines made me lolyou know, maybe it was something quite uncomfortable for me to talk about, but let me just say it regardless: i decided the normal kind of life was not quite my taste you know: like doing well at school, graduating, working tiresome jobs i don't like, and painstakingly raising a family with a person i didn't even love. i was taught by relatives and parents about such way of life and I didn't want to go through it.
so I decided to do things that are fun. following my passion on what I want to do. at start it felt nice and cozy, like when I do when I started the very first writeup of dr. pervert. though, when I went on and on, I feel stressed out a lot, some of them I already told you through PM. it's not really all that better, but if I continue on doing what I always do, I'll get to what I want.
if I could name few things that's enjoyable, it's probably making parodies and writing the kind of stories i like, like that one comic I've shown you before.
that's simply it.
Exactly. Your entry can do with fleshing them out in detail. If it is too personal then I suppose you can exaggerate or change a few details here and there. It is quite like what I did for this entry. (The difference of course is that that didn't happen to me)
PS: Seriously considering parodying your entry. Very tempting to rewrite your entry with Dr. Pervert and Doki Doki Suru in mind.
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leonard267 wrote...
Exactly. Your entry can do with fleshing them out in detail. If it is too personal then I suppose you can exaggerate or change a few details here and there. It is quite like what I did for this entry. (The difference of course is that that didn't happen to me)
PS: Seriously considering parodying your entry. Very tempting to rewrite your entry with Dr. Pervert and Doki Doki Suru in mind.
i guess i can do that next time :D /
i'm really looking forward to it, i expect it to be one of the biggest laughter-inducing thing for my entire weekend.
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This is my first time reading the poem and after reading your interpretation, I feel I have understood much more about the poem. But, as much as leonard, your entry has left me wanting to know more about the actual author himself rather than the poem. It is much more of a monologue telling about personal impacts (without really much personal details) that the poem had made to yourself rather than an interpretation. I'm pretty much on the same page with leonard on this: "What had happened?"
Nevertheless, it was an interesting entry. Good luck to you in the contest.
Nevertheless, it was an interesting entry. Good luck to you in the contest.
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Dawn_of_Dark wrote...
This is my first time reading the poem and after reading your interpretation, I feel I have understood much more about the poem. But, as much as leonard, your entry has left me wanting to know more about the actual author himself rather than the poem. It is much more of a monologue telling about personal impacts (without really much personal details) that the poem had made to yourself rather than an interpretation. I'm pretty much on the same page with leonard on this: "What had happened?"Nevertheless, it was an interesting entry. Good luck to you in the contest.
thanks for dropping by.
reading the comments, it appears that I'm quite unsure on how to make an interpretation: at first I thought it's simply about writing how it affects me. maybe because I somehow like to take it up close and personal while writing (without actually explaining things).
if I tried making it like a third person narrative, and adding some events to convey my point, it probably could make things more clear (or somehow got closer to an actual interpretation).
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high_time wrote...
thanks for dropping by.reading the comments, it appears that I'm quite unsure on how to make an interpretation: at first I thought it's simply about writing how it affects me. maybe because I somehow like to take it up close and personal while writing (without actually explaining things).
if I tried making it like a third person narrative, and adding some events to convey my point, it probably could make things more clear (or somehow got closer to an actual interpretation).
It helped me to understand the poem better nonetheless. I wonder if you have the time to check out my entry as well, I will really appreciate it, because I know you said you didn't have the time to read all the entries.
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Dawn_of_Dark wrote...
It helped me to understand the poem better nonetheless. I wonder if you have the time to check out my entry as well, I will really appreciate it, because I know you said you didn't have the time to read all the entries.
i actually had planned to read the entries all along. i can spend some time since i'm not really going to detail while reading things.
will get to your entry soon, don't worry 'bout it :D