The author's intent is the road not taken

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.

Nate Notes:

In English and Literature classes much emphasis is made on understanding the author's intent, this is the holy grail of literary interpretation. What did the arrtisst rearllly mean? While I think it is valuable to understand the author's intent and it can give context -- I think it is second fiddle to what the reader thinks and how it affects them individually.

Since the publishing of the this poem it has been often quoted to inspire businessmen, artist, entrepreneurs, poet philosophers, teachers, and many more to blaze their trails to success only found on paths away from the well trodden goat trails of society. And yet a careful reading of the poem and an understanding of it's inception will reveal a very different message.

The poet wrote the piece as a satire of his friend Edward Thomas. Frost was amused by Thomas’ indecisiveness, by the way he would dither over decisions, unable to make up his mind. Shortly before writing the poem and with mild irritation he recorded in his diary of a pleasant walk in Nature delayed by the indecision of his companion. The satire was not so clear when he sent a copy of the poem to Thomas, though. In the end, Frost had to explain to his friend that he was the subject of the poem.

The satire is evident in the poem itself, beginning with the title. The title is The Road Not Taken not The road less travelled. This sets a tone of remorse in contrast to the trivial circumstances of the poem conception. What is more, there is no road less travelled. . .

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.

The satire continues with his apocalyptic proclamation. . .

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence

In the end. . . none of this matters. If the simple conclusion and convoluted poetic narrative that leads to it, which Frost assumed would make the humor of his piece obvious, are handled with such gentle subtlety and grace that the final product rings more of truth than of jest and this inspires you - so be it. Go and take that road less travelled and perhaps, we may meet.