The Road Not Taken: The Paradox of Free Will Robert Frost's poem, "The Road Not Taken," is a profound philosophical approach that illustrates the paradox of free will. In the first line, Frost uses the metaphor “Two roads diverge” (1), to establish not only the traveler's dilemma in the poem, but life itself. The decisions we make in life, like the traveler in “The Road Not Taken,” are not to be made lightly. There is a desire to be adventurous, but we fear possible regret over “what might have been.” Regardless, we have to live with the choices we make. "The Road Not Taken" is an ambiguous poem that summarizes the complex nature of individuality. The literal situation of "The Road Not Taken" concerns a traveler who is faced with a very simple decision. The traveler comes to a crossroads in "a yellow forest" (1). Two roads lay before him, both "equally right" (6). The traveler wishes to take both roads, but knows that he "could not take both" (2), and is troubled by this realization. He regrets being able to experience both paths. The traveler takes the time to reflect on which direction to pursue. As he searches for a sign to guide him, he notices undergrowth hiding a bend in one of the paths. This distraction in his field of vision was one of two differences in the roads that lay ahead. The second difference is that the other road “wanted usury” (8). Although the routes otherwise seem very similar, the adventurous traveler proceeds along "the one less traveled" (19). The traveler makes his decision, but he is reluctant. Instead of saying “has the best claim,” he says “having perhaps the best claim” (7). The traveler's indecision is seen once again... in the center of the card... The second practical literary device Frost uses is tone. The tone reflects the writer's attitude towards the topic addressed. The traveler's evident tone is contemplative and hesitant. Frost manages to convey in tone not only the traveler's state of mind but also that of the shaky situation: "I doubted whether I should ever return" (15). In conclusion, "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost, could not have developed the concept of individuality and choice becomes clearer. Frost is a great poet who has an extraordinary ability to confuse nature and life. “The RoadNot Taken” has made me consider the decisions I make more carefully. The benefit of free will is the freedom to choose. The misfortune of choice is the contemplation of regret. Frost addresses this paradox to convey the complex nature of individuality and life itself.