Frost creates a sense of quiet and a tone of sorrow in the poem by putting it amid the desolate woods in fall. Autumn is a season of decay, rather than life and development, because it is followed by winter. "Yellow wood" might be viewed as a metaphor for the transient aspect of human life, which culminates in death. However, it could also be interpreted as a reference to the yellowness of wood when it starts to turn color before falling out of favor. The tree symbolizes eternity, since trees remain constant over time. Thus, it is appropriate that autumn should represent change and mortality. Frost uses this element to create a feeling of sadness and loneliness in his poem. In conclusion, autumn represents change and mortality. It is a sad but necessary evil that allows for new life to come around next year.