Taking the Easy Road

            How many lives are squandered and dreams surrendered by taking the "easy road?" While the choice to give up and walk a risk-free path can be appealing, it often yields little in return. As the inspirational author Rick Warren states, we should all desire to live "A Purpose Driven Life." (Warren, 2002) Scripture states in "The Gospel of Luke" that "to whom much is given, much is required." (12:48).
             In analyzing Robert Frost's, "The Road Not Taken," (as cited in Clugston, 2011, sec. 2.2) and Eudora Welty's, "A Worn Path," (as cited in Clugston, 2011, sec. 6.5), there is a sense of purpose, producing perseverance in the journey of life of each of the protagonists. In each of these two literary pieces, Frost and Welty each present a persevering individual who arrives at the end of their life's journey, with much to show for their life choices. The theme of perseverance is strengthened and established through a comparative analysis of these two pieces. Analyzing the similarities and differences in form and style through the use of various literary techniques, including: detail in creating character development, plot content, symbolism and point of view, illuminates the theme presented.
             In analyzing these two works, there is the initial most obvious difference, which is the choice of literary form. Frost presents his readers with a "lyric poem (that) presents the feelings and emotions rather than telling a story" (Cummings, n.d.). He stirs the emotions and creates a passion in the reader to desire to be of integrity, denying the easy road in life and instead, persevering down "the one less traveled by" (as cited by Clugston, 2011, sec. 2.2).
             Eudora Welty, on the other hand, utilizes the form of short story. She presents her readers with the character, Phoenix Jackson, and through this character, she displays the example of what that passion and perseverance looks like walked out in life.