There are many people who have contributed great literary works, specifically in the area of environmental literature. From Charles Darwin’s “The Origin of Species” to contemporary writers such as Emily Dickinson, critics of ecology have contributed a sense of how the environment should be viewed. In particular, there is one quote that really shows the importance and definition of the word environment as a noun.
“Two roads diverged in the woods and I-I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” – Robert Frost
There are two main assumptions that I see here and I would like to delve into the first. Frost does an extraordinary job at painting a picture while I read this quote. In my head, I see a green, endless forest with a bark dust path that gradually splits into two. On one side, I envision an extremely preserved wetland with flora and fauna as far as the eyes can see. On the other side, I vision a well-used path with scarce resources, most likely used by the heavy traffic through the area.
Key assumptions are made here that tie the green, natural environment, to the social and cultural environment. In society, there are always two options to everything. Regardless to outcome or consequence, each action comes with a set of consequences and choices. Frost directly explains this in his quote. Members of society can follow the societal norm, or they can go against it. Typically speaking, people who take the less traveled path, find that they have more successful lives in terms of self-fulfillment and overall happiness. These people lie within the terms of ecocentrism, see Buell’s Glossary of Selected Terms for explanation.
Society as a whole tends to follow a set of unwritten ethical codes that define how me must behave. Most people follow these “rules” but there are a few that don’t. Many individuals have visions that might not follow the societal norm, but as Frost says, that has made all the difference. For example, many members of society thought Steve Jobs was crazy for wanting to revolutionize society with his line of tablet and music devices. But, because he chose the side of the path that did not lead to glory, he became glorious. Without the so-called “other path” I probably wouldn’t be able to write this blog post today.
Frost, whether intentional or not, has directly tied the physical environment to the cultural environment. Society has the option to take the path that has been established for us, or to go against the social norm and branch out and venture down their endeavors or visions. The individuals that take the less traveled path usually find themselves with more happiness throughout their lives, which according the Frost, has made all the difference.
View a reading of Road Not Taken by Robert Frost.
My favorite poem by Frost! When reading the poem for the first time, I could also see the link he made between nature and society. However your use of Steve Jobs as an example that choosing the less “traditional” path could lead to a greater achievement is something I had never thought of and find very interesting.
Great post Alan, though I’m not sure that Frost’s message about taking the path less traveled would necessarily result in ecocentrism, or more environmentally aware behavior. For instance, if more people start taking the path less traveled how is that any better for the non-human world? Would that path just turn into another version of what you vividly describe as the “well-used path with scarce resources” and “heavy traffic”? There thus seems to be a conundrum or paradox at the heart of Frost’s poem, and at the heart of our modern day conceptions of wilderness and wilderness areas. Wilderness is only wilderness when we keep people out (or at least limit the people who can get in).
Stephen, I understand what you’re trying to say. I made the assumption that Frost wanted people to take the road less traveled by, but I see how this quote is misleading. If society takes the less traveled path, then that path becomes the more traveled side. Is both sides become industrialized through society, then there is no wilderness or ecocentrism. In this instance, people would be engaging in anthropocentrism. Thank you for the insight. It’s very appreciated.