'The Road Not Taken' by Robert Frost (1916) and A Comparison with Essay

'The Road Not Taken' by Robert Frost (1916) and A Comparison with Other Selected Literary Pieces - Essay Example It is, of course much deeper in meaning than that straightforward description. By the use of color, he paints an autumnal scene, suggesting he is looking back at himself later in his life. For example, "...yellow wood" (l. 1) for the leaves are not green, and again in "In leaves no step had trodden black" (l. 12), give the impressions of mulchy, earthy scents of autumn. The poet's own voice is heard throughout, sharing thought, feeling and action. There is gentle irony in "Oh, I kept the first for another day!" (l.13) and again in: His descriptive narrative, reasoning processes, and finally, a suggestion of regret, created by using the word 'sigh', combine to inform us that this is not a person at a rural crossroads, looking for a shortcut to town. The underlying meaning is how we all have choices to make, how it is necessary for us to rationalize them to ourselves, and how, with hindsight, we might wish we had chosen otherwise. The poem speaks of the consequences of our action, and that finally, we have to live with these, you cannot go back. It calls up visual and sensual images with the language used. It also suggests that it is brave to take the road less traveled, to be different and to seek adventure and change. Dream Variations (1926) and Harlem (1942): Lan... The underlying meaning is how we all have choices to make, how it is necessary for us to rationalize them to ourselves, and how, with hindsight, we might wish we had chosen otherwise. The poem speaks of the consequences of our action, and that finally, we have to live with these, you cannot go back. It calls up visual and sensual images with the language used. It also suggests that it is brave to take the road less traveled, to be different and to seek adventure and change. Dream Variations (1926) and Harlem (1942): Langston Hughes' two poems are less traditional in form and rhythm, but bursting with color, movement, heat and power. 'Dream Variations' is full of hope and self-awareness, it is exultant and exuberant as are the actions and emotions portrayed. "To whirl and to dance" (l. 3) and "Dance! Whirl! Whirl!" (l. 12). The repetition of "To fling my arms wide" (l. 1 and 10) keeps the momentum and joyful action going. The use of "Dark like me- " (l. 8) and "Black like me" (l.17) where Hughes uses the similes of night and nature, suggests that this is someone who has made a choice as to how and what he wants to be; in contrast to Frost, there is no doubt or regret, no weighing up, he has made up his mind, even if in a dream. "That is my dream" (l. 9) shows a depth of emotional self-belief. 3. 'Harlem What happens to a dream deferred' uses stark, vivid and sensual contradictions in the imagery, dispersing the hope and joy in the earlier poem. The meaning is clarified by "Maybe it just sags like a heavy load." (l. 9-10) and this links back to Frost's regret, but is more powerful in its anger. The same feeling of wanting our choices to lead to happiness and fulfillment is