...Symbolism of the Journey in "The Road Not Taken" and "A Worn Path" ENG125: Introduction to Literature Instructor: Deborah Cunningham Amber Huntley April 9, 2013 Symbolism of the Journey in "The Road Not Taken" and "A Worn Path" When reading a short story or a poem it is not possible to comprehend the author’s true meaning of his or her written word without using symbolism to bring the literary work to life. Oftentimes the symbolism can be interpreted differently by each individual. We do know that the symbolism of literary works are created in the imagination of the writer to show certain events or interrelated facets of the literary work. Moreover, the joy of reading is so that the reader can interpret what these symbols mean to them and begin the wonderful journey into the world of literature. As we read, we begin to unravel and decode the symbolic nature of the characters journey throughout the written word. Also; the journey is not only in the reading of the literary work but, in deciphering the symbolism to find its true meaning as it relates to you, the reader of the short story or poem. Therefore, we can see from Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken,” and Eudora Welty’s short story, “A Worn Path” that the symbolism a writer uses is the journey to discovering the path of the literary work itself. The best example of this symbolic journey is Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken.”. In this poem we read about a man...
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...Literature: Symbolism of a Journey Tracy Locke ENG125 Karen McFarland October 7, 2013 Reading a story, a poem, or a play introduces you to an imaginary world (Clugston, W.R. (2010). When reading literature we must enter the imaginary world; enter the world the author is creating. The story “A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty in 1941 and the poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost in 1916 both use the theme of journey to symbolize life decisions. One speaks of a “Path” the other a “Road” the theme that each of these writings share is presented differently throughout the piece of literature. These two pieces of literature symbolize a journey, through using content, form, style, symbolism and imagination, although used differently in many ways they both are symbolizing a journey through life. The theme in a story is a representation of the idea behind the story (Clugston, W.R.(2010). In the pieces of literature I have chosen, the theme is speaking of journeys, one journey for love and the other life, but both having to make life decisions. The authors took different approaches in showing the reader the journey, the life decisions that had to be made. Both works have characters making a journey. In the poem “The Road Not Taken”, the narrator has been traveling and has reached a point where the road divides. The narrator is a traveler. Likewise, in the short story “A Worn Path”, the main character is on a trip to town. She is travelling from home through the pines...
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...Daniel Bragg Symbolism of a Journey Eng125: Introduction to Literature (ABG1222A) Professor Olabisi Adenekan 7-1-12 When it comes to reading poems and short stories, it seems that you can always find something more, the deeper you dive in to the respective works. The authors I am about to discuss were able to bring in readers with the use of imagery, tone, symbolism, and everyday understanding, among other things throughout their works. Without imagination however, I don’t believe it would be possible to truly get what each writer has intended their work to mean. You have to look close and pay attention to be able to visualize the symbolism in each of these literary pieces. In Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken”, and Jean Rhys’ short story “I Used to Live Here Once”, the consistent theme between the two would be; no matter who you are, you are the only one who chooses the road you take for your life’s journey. In other words, you choose your own destiny. And although they took different ways to say it, both Rhys and Frost use imagery, tone, and symbolism frequently to enhance the telling of their literary works. There are many people who travel a distance in life to find the path they should take or to remember the path they once took. In the poem “The Road Not Taken”, and the short story "I Used to Live Here Once", there are many similarities and differences. The authors’ use of describing a path helps them personify life’s journeys and self-reflection. Robert...
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...header: Journey of Life 1 Journey of Life Victoria Schoepf ENG125 October 21, 2013 Jennifer Thompson Journey of Life 2 Life starts out as an undetermined journey until the elements of choices are laid in our way. Everyone in life or spirit, will often reflect back on the path or road one has choose to contemplate, with never truly knowing if it we did choose the right or wrong direction. I will compare and contrast the literary works of “The Road Not Taken”, by Robert Frost and “I Used to Live Here Once”, by Jean Rhys. The two literary works attention is on the journey that an individual has decided to take through life. One of the narratives focuses on symbolizing choice, while the other is death, but in the same way are similar, because life itself is a journey that can lead into a life or death situation. “A symbol is an object, person, or action that conveys two meaning: its own literal meaning and something it stands for as well,” (Clugston, 2010). “The Road Not Taken” uses symbolism by starting with “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,” (Frost, 1916). Two roads diverged is symbolizing the looking back, (a reflection point one has on life altering choices) on life’s lessons, (events) that have impacted one’s journey, while...
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...Reflection Sherrye Sims ENG125 Jennifer Chunn March 21, 2013 The literary work that captured my interest the most was Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken”. This poem to me represents the unknown and possibilities to come. This poem is about everyday life and the decisions we make. It is about the choices we make that could very well affect our lives forever. For example we choose whether or not to be good or bad. We choose whether or not to strive for bigger and better life than what our parents, siblings and aunts and uncles had or settle for what know is easy. This poem uses symbolism and persona. It symbolizes that life is full of choices, but you have to make the correct choice or what you believe to be the correct choice for yourself. One of the analytical choices I chose from chapter sixteen is the reader response approach. I chose this response because I related to it better than the others. The two lines that initially caught my attention are: Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both. Those two lines alone make your imagine go in different directions. Everyone in life just about comes to a fork in the road. This is basically during the time when the decisions you make for your life may very well affect the outcome of the rest of your life. A great example of that would be choosing to do well or not in high school from the ninth to the twelfth grade will determine what kind of college you will be eligible to...
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...Nothing Gold Can Stay (Frost) VS. I Used to Live Here Once (Rhys) Jason W. Miller Ashford University ENG125: Introduction to Literature Professor Patricia Lake December 3, 2012 Death and impermanence is always full of sorrow. I have chosen Death and Impermanence as my theme to discuss, not because of tragedy I’ve experienced, but instead because it’s an interestingly complex theme. “Nothing Gold Can Stay” and “I Used to Live Here Once” could not be no more different in their visual form than they already are; however, they both represent the theme through common emotions and mood of the literary works. Throughout my essay I will explain the relevance of the two works, and authors, as well as the differences. The formalist approach will be my choice of critical analysis of the two works, which will aid in forming my comparison and contrast of both works as well. “The poem of the Robert Frost, “Nothing Gold Can Stay” is discussing the beauty of life’s wonderful but short-lived treasures, as example chasing dreams and spending time with loved ones. It is illustrated by Frost those treasures in the world related to the nature through the use of metaphors, imagery, diction, and allusion. The poem “Nothing Gold Can Stay” helps open one’s eyes to the harsh realities of nature’s path and although we must all succumb to the laws of nature, it is these unbreakable laws that make life so treasured (Shmoop, 2010). On the other side the literature “I Used to Live Here...
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