Robert Frost

'Two roads diverged in a wood and I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference' Sounds familiar? Well, this line is taken from Robert Frost's poem 'The Road not taken'. Subtle, humorous, iconic, Robert Frost is the most famous American poet of all time.

Just how famous is Robert Frost? Well, U.S president asked him to write a poem for his inauguration, and he was even sent to Russia on a goodwill mission. Search 'Robert Frost's poems' on google, and you will get over 2 million results. Search 'Roald Dahl's short stories' on google, and you will only get about a 100 thousand results. He is considered a living legend, even after his death.

Robert was born on 26 March 1874, in California. He was married in 1896, and he was admitted into Harvard, where he excelled in Classics. He was a teacher, and owned a farm before his poems became so well known. Robert's later life was plagued with grief. His lone son committed suicide, and was suffering from his weak lungs. He died after a operation on his lungs. He won a total of 4 pultizer prizes in his life.

Robert's poems are subtle, and sometimes hard to understand. As a result, many people misunderstand his poems. Take for example that lines 'Two roads diverged in a wood and I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference'. Many people thought that he meant that change, revolution is always good. However, what Robert meant is that you will never know what your choice will mean until you have lived it. Even though his poems are so widely read, not many people can understand poems well.

Robert is also quite humorous. When he was a teacher, he once said 'Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence.' Mr. B, do you agree? He also said, 'By working faithfully eight hours a day, you may eventually get to be a boss and work twelve hours a day.' He was a humorous man, and not all his poems are so ironic, or subtle.

Robert Frost is the most well-known American poet, and we continue studying his poems long after his death.

(To read my review on 'The Road Not Taken' click here)