'The Road Not Taken' by Frost portrays the fact that physically journeys result in change and a sense of understanding of yourself. The poem is a metaphor for life in the fact that we have to make decisions where the consequences of our actions seem to be unknown this is shown when the speaker shows his regret about the decision that has confronted him through "And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler" this shows the responder that the persona knows that both roads will lead to the unknown results that will force the persona to come to a realization about himself. The poems rhyming scheme suggests a sense of regularity and direction in the physical journey of the persons yet as the persona is confronted with change this rhyming scheme changes providing the responder with a sense of uncertainty towards this new direction in life. With Frost using future tense in the final stanza of the poem there is an impression of reassurance and confidence in the personas final decision to take the road less traveled. The last line of the poem "And that has made all the difference" implies that the actual physical journey does not matter but what you experience and learn that is important.

This text is similar to “Away” in that Frost and Gow use a variety of techniques to show the characteristics of physical journeys like dialogue, plot and image are to express ideas regarding the difficulties in make choices, the underlying fear of the unknown. They both also show the responder that physical journeys can lead to significant physical or mental awareness. Frost and Gow both show that journeys can provide opportunities for development of a character

'Away' a play by Michael Gow set in the summer of 1967-68 in Australia. This play is about three Australian families who each aim resolve their issues through going on a holiday. "Away" confronts the reader with an emphasis on the impacts of the physical journeys on the traveler; it also deals with the fact that there are physical, emotional and intellectual aspects of journey.

The play starts of with the last words of the play "A Midsummer Nights Dream" by William Shakespeare. Tom plays the character Puck, the restorer, which represents his character in the play "Away". “Give me your hands, if we be friends, and Robin shall restore amends” These are last words of "A Midsummer Nights Dream" this statement tells us that he will fix all of the problems faced by the three families portrayed in "Away"

During the play the three families arrive at the same physical location due to the storm. The storm which destroys all of Gwen and Jim's possessions which allows them to experience who they are and take the time to become aware of the world around them.

Another text that reflects that physical journeys lead to a greater understanding is a cartoon called “You and Me” by Michael Leunig. The cartoon is a picture of identical cars and drivers heading towards one direction which is identified as “grave” by a signpost as opposed to traveling in the opposite direction which is labeled “cradle”. The background is covered by skyscrapers and the moon is the only natural element in the cartoon.

Leunig uses humor to criticize our journey through life with the main message in the cartoon being to be an individual and not conform to society; this is shown through the fact that all the cars and drivers are identical; this suggests society is overpowered by conformity also the idea of conformity tells the responder that physical journeys have become meaningless due to society's obsession with material objects. The fact that everyone is racing towards their grave shows Leunig's own ideas towards people traveling towards death and destruction. The miserable expressions of the cartoons reveal an unhappy and depressed consumer that is too focused on arriving to the final destination of the “grave” to discover the better option of the “cradle” which is symbolic of love and support. The fact traffic is so heavy it symbolizes the frustration in society's everyday life. The crowded skyline which is dominated by artificial skyscrapers reveals a merely visible half moon which is the only form of optimism created by nature this image focus' on the artificial aspect of today's world.

Leunig's sarcasm as achieved through exaggeration, he clearly ridicules modern life. He encourages the responder to be critical of the journey not the destination, to challenge not accept and not to be overwhelmed by society's influences.

This text, like “Away”, and “The Road Not Taken”, depicts journeys with techniques that emphasize the impact of physical journeys on the traveler.

Life is the journey as Leunig demonstrates the destination is the same the roads traveled, the decisions made through the journey as described in "The road not taken" and the interaction of people and events in "Away" are the pattern of life. Enjoy the journey, expect twists and turns and even some potholes but remember to take in the view.