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Question
Thinking about the poem
Discuss what these phrases mean to you.
(i) a yellow wood
(ii) it was grassy and wanted wear
(iii) the passing there
(iv) leaves no step had trodden black
(v) how way leads on to way
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Solution
(i) Yellow wood symbolises the autumn season. As Autumn corresponds to withering of the old leaves, the poet could be symbolically talking about the later stages of life of a man.
(ii) It conveys that the road was full of grass and less travelled one. The poet personifies the road by saying ‘wanted wear’. It could imply the road needed to be explored or travelled as only very few has done so.
(iii) The phrase is used with respect to the path he chose to walk or rather is used as ‘while walking the path’.
(iv) The poet uses this phrase to lay emphasis on the fact that he was unable to decide which path to choose. Both the paths seemed same, as the leaves had not changed their colour into black by people walking on them. Figuratively, it could represent a dilemma to choose a one path over the other for the fear of uncertainty.
(v) The phrase is used in continuation to the idea that poet wanted to return and try the first road for another day. But, he soon realizes how one way leads to another until one is very far from where it started. Figuratively, this phrase means how certain decisions one makes in life could pave the way for many other decisions.
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As the fire passed from his sight.
For all he saw in his stick of wood
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The last man of this forlorn group
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They didn't die from the cold without
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Mrs. Thompson did not reply, but presently turned towards the little chamber where her husband had deposited Maggie; and, pushing open the door, went quietly in. Joe did not follow; he saw that, her state had changed, and felt that it would be best to leave her alone with the child. So he went to his shop, which stood near the house, and worked until dusky evening released him from labor. A light shining through the little chamber windows was the first object that attracted Joe’s attention on turning towards the house: it was a good omen. The path led him by this windows and, when opposite, he could not help pausing to look in. It was now dark enough outside to screen him from observation. Maggie lay, a little raised on the pillow with the lamp shining full upon her face. Mrs. Thompson was sitting by the bed, talking to the child; but her back was towards the window, so that her countenance was not seen. From Maggie’s face, therefore, Joe must read the character of their intercourse. He saw that her eyes were intently fixed upon his wife; that now and then a few words came, as if in answers from her lips; that her expression was sad and tender; but he saw nothing of bitterness or pain. A deep-drawn breath was followed by one of relief, as a weight lifted itself from his heart.
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