Out, Out
By Robert Frost
The full text of the poem *Out, Out* by Robert Frost is reproduced below for reference. For a complete version, see the Poetry Foundation website: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43283/out-out
The poem *Out, Out* explores the fleeting nature of life and the suddenness of tragedy in rural early twentieth‑century America. It centers on a young boy who works with a buzz saw and suffers a fatal accident, underscoring the fragile quality of existence.
Summary
The poem depicts the boy’s ordinary labor in a rural setting and the abrupt, tragic loss that follows. The narrative highlights how quickly a seemingly routine day can end in disaster, reflecting the delicate balance between life’s routine and its inherent unpredictability.
Analysis
Imagery
Frost employs detailed sensory images to depict the buzzing of the saw, the scent of wood, and the surrounding rural landscape. The imagery helps readers feel the tension of the moment before the accident and the aftermath.
Personification
The buzz saw is given human qualities, such as “snoring” or “rattling,” which illustrate its mechanical presence and its role in the boy’s fate.
Symbolism
The buzz saw represents the mechanized nature of rural labor and the potential danger that accompanies everyday tasks. The boy’s loss of a hand symbolizes a loss of future, ambition, and hope.
Allusion
The title itself is an allusion to the abrupt ending of a life that seems ordinary yet ends abruptly. The poem reflects on themes of mortality that resonate with broader cultural and literary contexts, particularly within the American landscape.
Enjambment
The poem’s sentences often carry on beyond a single line, allowing the narrative to flow in a way that emphasizes the relentless progression of events. This technique mirrors the unstoppable nature of the saw’s motion and the unfolding tragedy.
Key Moments
While the poem does not rely on explicit quotations, the pivotal moments—such as the boy’s hand cutting, his reaction, and his subsequent death—are critical in conveying the suddenness and finality of the accident.