Out, Out-
Encyclopedia
"Out, Out-" is a poem by American poet Robert Frost
, published in 1916. It tells the story of a young boy who dies after his hand is severed by a "buzz-saw
". The poem focuses on people's reactions to death, as well as the death itself, one of the main ideas being that life goes on. The poem was apparently based on a true event which is believed to have occurred in April 1915. Raymond Fitzgerald, the son of Frost's friend and neighbour, lost his hand to a buzz saw and bled so profusely that he went into shock, dying in spite of his doctor's efforts.
Frost uses personification to great effect throughout the poem. The buzz saw, although technically an inanimate object, is described as a cognizant being - "snarling" and "rattling" repeatedly, as well as "leaping" out of the boys hands in excitement.
Frost concentrates on the apparent innocence and passivity of the boy - which is relevant to the time period - as Frost was forced to move back to America due to war in England just a year before the poem was written. Bearing this in mind, the poem can be read as a critique as to how warfare can force innocent, young boys to leave their childhood behind, and ultimately be destroyed by circumstances created by the 'responsible' adult.
The last line is detached and blunt, mirroring the soldier's attitude and ability to detach themselves from their emotions and continue killing despite the dead bodies surrounding them. It also appears to be somewhat sarcastic; Frost disapproving of our disposable attitude towards life.
The title of the poem is an allusion to William Shakespeare
's tragedy Macbeth
("Out, out, brief candle ..."). Macbeth is shocked to hear of his wife's death and comments on the brevity of life. It refers to how unpredictable life is.
This poem uses some figurative language including onomatopoeia, alliteration
, imagery
, and many others. Harold Bloom
said it is "one of Frost's most respected poems, but it has not received the same depth of critical attention and explication as poems such as "The Road Not Taken (poem)" and "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
."
Robert Frost
Robert Lee Frost was an American poet. He is highly regarded for his realistic depictions of rural life and his command of American colloquial speech. His work frequently employed settings from rural life in New England in the early twentieth century, using them to examine complex social and...
, published in 1916. It tells the story of a young boy who dies after his hand is severed by a "buzz-saw
Circular saw
The circular saw is a machine using a toothed metal cutting disc or blade. The term is also loosely used for the blade itself. The blade is a tool for cutting wood or other materials and may be hand-held or table-mounted. It can also be used to make narrow slots...
". The poem focuses on people's reactions to death, as well as the death itself, one of the main ideas being that life goes on. The poem was apparently based on a true event which is believed to have occurred in April 1915. Raymond Fitzgerald, the son of Frost's friend and neighbour, lost his hand to a buzz saw and bled so profusely that he went into shock, dying in spite of his doctor's efforts.
Frost uses personification to great effect throughout the poem. The buzz saw, although technically an inanimate object, is described as a cognizant being - "snarling" and "rattling" repeatedly, as well as "leaping" out of the boys hands in excitement.
Frost concentrates on the apparent innocence and passivity of the boy - which is relevant to the time period - as Frost was forced to move back to America due to war in England just a year before the poem was written. Bearing this in mind, the poem can be read as a critique as to how warfare can force innocent, young boys to leave their childhood behind, and ultimately be destroyed by circumstances created by the 'responsible' adult.
The last line is detached and blunt, mirroring the soldier's attitude and ability to detach themselves from their emotions and continue killing despite the dead bodies surrounding them. It also appears to be somewhat sarcastic; Frost disapproving of our disposable attitude towards life.
The title of the poem is an allusion to William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
's tragedy Macbeth
Macbeth
The Tragedy of Macbeth is a play by William Shakespeare about a regicide and its aftermath. It is Shakespeare's shortest tragedy and is believed to have been written sometime between 1603 and 1607...
("Out, out, brief candle ..."). Macbeth is shocked to hear of his wife's death and comments on the brevity of life. It refers to how unpredictable life is.
This poem uses some figurative language including onomatopoeia, alliteration
Alliteration
In language, alliteration refers to the repetition of a particular sound in the first syllables of Three or more words or phrases. Alliteration has historically developed largely through poetry, in which it more narrowly refers to the repetition of a consonant in any syllables that, according to...
, imagery
Imagery
Imagery is used in literature to refer to descriptive language that evokes emotional responses. It is useful as it allows an author to add depth and understanding to his work, like a sculptor adding layer and layer to his statue, building it up into a beautiful work of art.-Forms of imagery :Visual...
, and many others. Harold Bloom
Harold Bloom
Harold Bloom is an American writer and literary critic, and is Sterling Professor of Humanities at Yale University. He is known for his defense of 19th-century Romantic poets, his unique and controversial theories of poetic influence, and his prodigious literary output, particularly for a literary...
said it is "one of Frost's most respected poems, but it has not received the same depth of critical attention and explication as poems such as "The Road Not Taken (poem)" and "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" is a poem written in 1922 by Robert Frost, and published in 1923 in his New Hampshire volume. Imagery and personification are prominent in the work...
."