"Out, Out-" by Robert Frost is a poignant and powerful poem that explores the theme of mortality and the fleeting nature of life. It tells the story of a young boy who is working with a buzz saw, when he accidentally cuts off his hand. As he bleeds to death, the boy is oblivious to the tragedy that is unfolding, and continues to ask about the time and the progress of his work.
The poem begins with a sense of innocence and simplicity, as the boy is described as "doing a man's work" and "five and six" years old. Frost uses the metaphor of the buzz saw to symbolize the destructive power of industrialization and the dangers that come with it. The saw is described as "snarling" and "rattling" as it cuts through the wood, foreshadowing the tragic events to come.
As the accident occurs, the poem shifts to a more somber and reflective tone. The boy's screams are described as "a way off" and "not much to a scream," indicating that he is in a state of shock and disbelief. Despite the severity of his injury, the boy continues to ask about the time and the progress of his work, showing his dedication and responsibility to his task.
Frost uses the phrase "Out, out-" as a refrain throughout the poem to emphasize the finality and irreversibility of death. The phrase also serves as a commentary on the tragedy of a young life being cut short, and the devastation that is left in its wake. The final lines of the poem, "And they, since they / Were not the one dead, turned to their affairs," illustrate the indifferent and callous nature of the world, and the way in which death is often overlooked or dismissed.
Overall, "Out, Out-" is a poignant and powerful poem that explores the themes of mortality, industrialization, and the fleeting nature of life. Frost uses vivid imagery and simple, yet effective language to convey the tragedy of the boy's death, and to remind us of the fragility and preciousness of life.
"Out, Out-" by Robert Frost is a poignant and powerful poem that tells the tragic story of a young boy who loses his life in a freak accident. The poem is told from the perspective of an onlooker who witnesses the events as they unfold, and the language used is simple and straightforward, allowing the reader to fully grasp the horror of the situation.
The poem begins with the boy, a young lad, working late into the evening on a woodcutting task. He is described as "breathing so hard, he sopped his hand" and "snarling" as he works, indicating the physical strain and determination he is putting into his work. The speaker notes that the boy is "five and the color of a summer tan" and that he is "doing a man's work," implying that he is being treated as an adult despite his young age.
As the evening wears on, the boy's saw gets caught in a "knot," causing it to "jump as a live wire" and "bite into the thumb" of his hand. The speaker describes the saw as a "snarling beast," personifying it and adding to the sense of danger and peril. The boy's injury is described as a "red gash" and "bloody stump," and the speaker notes that "the little boy's hand was cut off clean."
The boy's injury is severe, and he is rushed to the hospital, but it is too late. The speaker notes that the boy's "first outcry was a rueful laugh," suggesting that he is aware of the gravity of his situation and resigned to his fate. The poem ends with the speaker stating that the boy "had for fifty years" and that the accident happened "just at sunset."
"Out, Out-" is a poignant and powerful reflection on the fragility of life and the unpredictable nature of fate. The poem speaks to the tragedy of a young life cut short and the sense of loss and despair that follows. The simple and straightforward language used by the speaker serves to heighten the impact of the events described, making this a memorable and deeply moving work.
