Beehive Poem The Road Not Taken - NCERT Solutions
CBSE Class 9 English Langauge and Literature
NCERT Solutions
Beehive Poem 01
The Road Not Taken
NCERT Solutions
Beehive Poem 01
The Road Not Taken
Page No: 16 Thinking about the poem
1. Where does the traveller find himself? What problem does he face?
Ans: The traveller finds himself in the yellow woods at a point where the road divides into two parts. He faces with the problem of being not able to make a choice on which road to choose, for his further journey.
Ans: The traveller finds himself in the yellow woods at a point where the road divides into two parts. He faces with the problem of being not able to make a choice on which road to choose, for his further journey.
2. 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
Ans: (i) a yellow wood : The yellow woods represents the season of autumn. Autumn also stands for old age and inactivity . The poet could be symbolically talking about his later stages of life when he finds it hard to take a decision.
(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
Ans: (i) a yellow wood : The yellow woods represents the season of autumn. Autumn also stands for old age and inactivity . The poet could be symbolically talking about his later stages of life when he finds it hard to take a decision.
(ii) it was grassy and wanted wear : It means that the road was covered with grass. It looked relatively un-worn. The poet is trying to tell that people might have less travelled on the road because it was more risky.
(iii) the passing there : It means the road used by the people to pass along it.
(iv) leaves no step had trodden black : The speaker is trying to say that the leaves had not turned black because less people had stepped on them or it was the least travelled road. It represents a path which people may never have taken in life for the fear of uncertainty.
(v) how way leads on to way : This phrase means how certain decisions are unpredictable. Whichever you choose would result in interesting and unique life experiences.We have to feel good about the choices we made.
(iv) leaves no step had trodden black : The speaker is trying to say that the leaves had not turned black because less people had stepped on them or it was the least travelled road. It represents a path which people may never have taken in life for the fear of uncertainty.
(v) how way leads on to way : This phrase means how certain decisions are unpredictable. Whichever you choose would result in interesting and unique life experiences.We have to feel good about the choices we made.
3. Is there any difference between the two roads as the poet describes them?
(i) in stanzas two and three?
(ii) in the last two lines of the poem?
Ans: (i) In stanza two the poet explains that he chose the less travelled road because he felt it had better claims. Soon he realizes that both roads had been equally worn down by passersby travelling on them. In stanza three the poet says that both the roads were equally covered with leaves which had not turned black.
(ii) In the last two lines of the poem the poet says that there was difference between the two roads .He took the road that was less travelled by people and that made all the difference to his journey.
4. What do you think the last two lines of the poem mean? (Looking back, doesthe poet regret his choice or accept it?)
Ans: The last two lines of the poem mean that the poet accepts reality. The poet made a choice and took the challenging path. He wanted do something different in his life so he choose the less travelled road. No, he does not regret his choice. He sighs with relief that he made the right choice.
Ans: The last two lines of the poem mean that the poet accepts reality. The poet made a choice and took the challenging path. He wanted do something different in his life so he choose the less travelled road. No, he does not regret his choice. He sighs with relief that he made the right choice.
II. 1. Have you ever had to make a difficult choice (or do you think you will have difficult choices to make)? How will you make the choice (for what reasons)?
Ans: No, till now I have never been in a situation in which I had to make a difficult choice. Perhaps, I am still too young to make an independent choice. Yes, I think sooner or later I will have difficult choices to make. After completing my general education, I will have to make choice of my profession. I will have many options before me. I will arrive at a decision only after carefully considering all the available options. It would be my life-transforming decision and will need serious thought . I will choose a path that gives me satisfaction and mental peace. I will not join the rat race for money. Like the poet in poem, I will choose a challenging and unexplored path in my life.accepting its challenges and uncertainties.
Ans: No, till now I have never been in a situation in which I had to make a difficult choice. Perhaps, I am still too young to make an independent choice. Yes, I think sooner or later I will have difficult choices to make. After completing my general education, I will have to make choice of my profession. I will have many options before me. I will arrive at a decision only after carefully considering all the available options. It would be my life-transforming decision and will need serious thought . I will choose a path that gives me satisfaction and mental peace. I will not join the rat race for money. Like the poet in poem, I will choose a challenging and unexplored path in my life.accepting its challenges and uncertainties.
2. After you have made a choice do you always think about what might have been, or do you accept the reality?
Ans: Having made a choice, I would be ready to accept the reality. Reconsidering a decision is not a positive approach towards life. I may encounter with many obstacles, but I will take great effort and strive to be satisfied with the choice I made.
Ans: Having made a choice, I would be ready to accept the reality. Reconsidering a decision is not a positive approach towards life. I may encounter with many obstacles, but I will take great effort and strive to be satisfied with the choice I made.