Page 10 - Point 5 Literature Program Option 1 Teachers Guide (2) (1)

Analysis and Interpretation
The first question helps the students recognize the theme of each stanza. Students are asked to
suggest a title as well.

Review their answers, which might include:
1. a. and b.
Theme Title
Stanza I The speaker comes to a crossroads and has to choose which way to go. A choice of roads
Stanza II One road seems less traveled at first glance, but not really. Thinking it Through
Stanza III The speaker chooses one road and regretfully gives up the other. A Difficult Decision
Stanza IV He predicts that his choice will turn out to be both good and bad. Outcomes

Students’ attention is drawn to the literary device of metaphor and question 2 relates to the metaphor
of the poem.

Answers might include:
2. The choice of roads in the woods compares to choices on the road of life, and these choices are not always clear
or easy to make.
3. a. The symbol is a crossroads (or a fork in the road).
b. Two roads diverged (lines 1, 18)

c. Repetition emphasizes and strengthens the symbol and also focuses attention on the difficulty of the choice – it
had to be considered more than once.
4. a. These lines tell us that this journey takes place in the fall/autumn when the leaves turn yellow and fall off the
trees.
b. Accept logical responses. These might include the fact that at this time of year all the leaves and bushes make
it harder to see down the two roads than perhaps in winter or early spring.

5. The traveler wanted to come back at some future time and take the other road as well, but he knew that usually
things don’t work out that way and it was unlikely he would be able to return.

Let’s Think – Distinguishing different perspectives

The hoTS taught in this poem is Distinguishing different perspectives. read the
explanation with the students and ask several students what they see from where they are sitting.
Then move on to the second activity and let them share their thoughts with the class. have them
answer question 6.
Answers might include:

6. a. Meaning of Words Meaning in Poem
The speaker will be glad that he took the road less traveled, as his choice will have
i. Sigh = sigh of relief
turned out to be a very good one.
The speaker would have liked the opportunity to explore the other road as well, but it
ii. Sigh = sigh of regret
was not possible.
b. Students’ answers will vary. Encourage them to explain their perspectives as clearly as they can. There are also
other possibilities, for example, the speaker sighs because he knows that choices have to be made and other
opportunities are then lost. The speaker’s perspective may also be affected by the fact that he is now older,
looking back at the choices made as a younger person.
c. Accept any logical response.

10 The road noT Taken