Jeff Scudder
English Honors
The Road Not Taken Rough Draft	

	"The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost is a poem that works well. It contains many elements and poetic language within it's lines. The poem has three main elements. They are the main, straightforward message in the words, the poetic language and rhythm, and finally the underlying meaning in the poem.
	This relatively simple poem has a message which can be easily understood. Robert Frost tells the reader that he chose the alternate path in life. He uses a big metaphor in his poem. The road is life, and the fork in the road represents the choices he is forced to make every now and then. He chose to take the choice that not many other people chose. He also believes that taking an alternate path in life can make all the difference to leading a happier and better life. He also talks about going back on choices, and self denial in the 3rd stanza. The poet's message can easily be decyphered in this poem.
	This poem's use of simple poetic devices, really makes it work. Frost uses a generic, easy meter and rhyme scheme to make his poem flow nicely. This is a lyrical poem. The simple rhyme scheme was probably used to help get the message and theme across. He talks about looking down the roads as far as he could see. This is a symbol for looking ahead and seeing where your choices will take you in life. He does this before he takes the path that he chooses. He uses a tone and mood that expresses curiosity. This helps make the poem feel mysterious and interesting, yet joyful at the same time. There is just the right amount of poetic language in this poem to make the lines and words flow well.
	Finally, the underlying message. Frost is really saying in his poem, that the people who take chances, and be careful, will always have a happier life. He also explains and tells people to not look back on the choices they have made, because once they have made these choices, they cannot be undone.
	Robert Frost's poem uses many different pieces to make it a good and flowing poem. It utilizes symbolism, a big metaphor, and lots of meaning to make the poem and stanzas fit together nicely. This easy and simple poem should have great meaning to anyone who reads it.