Robert Frost’s poem “Out, Out–” was devised from a macabre story told to him by his friend Edward Thomas in 1916. In 1910, Thomas told Frost the story of a young boy in Vermont whose hand was cut off in a freak accident while cutting wood with a buzz saw. This tragic story was the prompts to Frost’s poem and was published in the August 1915 issue of Michael Roberts’s journal Frost. The poem was originally entitled “In White” but was later changed to “Out, Out–” as a reference to Macbeth’s line in Act V, Scene V when he bemoans life’s brevity.
The poem was written in free verse and reads like a dramatic monologue. It tells the story of a young boy who is cutting wood near his home when his saw jams, cutting off his saw. While the poem focuses on the moment and aftermath of the boy’s accident, it also touches on themes of mortality and the transient nature of life. Frost includes biblical allusions, such as references to Elisha’s ax head, to underscore this idea. The poem also includes themes of powerlessness and human suffering that stem from the enduring human experience of death and mortality.
The poem follows the structure of a classical tragedy and is broken into four stanzas. The first two stanzas describe the accident; the third reflects on the tragedy of the boy’s death; the fourth deals with the attitude of the onlookers. The poem is written in simple language and is accessible to a wide audience. It is considered one of Frost’s most accessible and widely known poems. Frost himself famously stated that “Out, Out–” was about “much that I am inclined to think about.”
In “Out, Out–,” Frost uses a range of poetic techniques to give the poem greater depth and power. He uses an extended metaphor to compare the saw to a serpent, highlighting the boy’s victimization. The poem also includes alliteration and onomatopoeia to accentuate the narrative, while the repetition of the phrase “Out, Out–” serves to emphasize the brevity of life and the impersonal power of fate.
“Out, Out–” is one of Robert Frost’s most famous and enduring poems and has been widely anthologized in collections of modern and contemporary poetry. In addition to its literary merits, the poem has also been commended for its honest exploration of death, suffering and mortality. It has been interpreted in a variety of ways, from a reflection on mortality to a commentary on the human condition.
The Origin of the Poem
As mentioned earlier, the poem was inspired by a macabre story told to Frost by his friend Edward Thomas. Thomas recounted a story he had heard in 1910 of a young boy in Vermont whose hand was cut off in a freak accident while cutting wood with a buzz saw. Frost himself often talked about the story to illustrate his point that poetry can be made out of any kind of material. He was obviously successful in his endeavor, as “Out, Out–” has become one of Frost’s most enduring and recognizable works.
It is worth noting that “Out, Out–” was not Frost’s only poem inspired by Thomas’s story. He also wrote two short stories and another poem, “The Ax-Helve,” which was published posthumously. All of this reveals a great ambition on Frost’s part to explore the tragedy of the story through various literary forms. In the end, he was able to draw from an ordinary occurrence and create a timeless poem that continues to engage readers to this day.
Frost also demonstrated a great level of sensitivity in his treatment of the story. Rather than focusing on the violence of the accident, he honed in on the tender moment of the boy’s death. His famous line, “And they, since they/Were not the one dead, turned to their affairs,” reveals a tremendous amount of compassion, as it speaks to the tragic nature of all death.
In addition to his literary ambitions, Frost also had a profound understanding of the human experience of death and mortality. The poem is filled with vivid images and gripping emotions that capture the fragility of life. In writing about such a grim topic, Frost has managed to create a poem that is both thought provoking and deeply moving.
The Structure and Language of the Poem
As mentioned earlier, the poem is written in free verse and follows the structure of a classical tragedy. Frost was a master of language, and his words convey a great sense of power and emotion. He uses simple language and has chosen words that any reader can understand and appreciate.
Frost’s choice of words and syntax also play an important role in the poem. He develops a powerful atmosphere of dread and foreboding and uses poetic devices like alliteration and onomatopoeia to create an ominous tone. His repetition of the phrase “Out, Out–” serves to emphasize the brevity of life and the poignancy of the boy’s death.
The poem’s structure is also noteworthy. The four stanzas are arranged in a way that mirrors the four stages of tragedy: the first two describe the accident; the third reflects on the tragedy of the boy’s death; and the fourth deals with the attitude of the onlookers. The choice to use mythological tropes, such as the reference to Elisha’s ax head, reveals an allusive approach that further lends depth and dimension to the poem.
In addition to its clever use of structure and imagery, the poem also conveys profound insights into the human experience of death and grief. Frost’s observations on life and mortality are hard-hitting and often difficult to come to terms with. He suggests that life is ultimately fragile and ephemeral, and he leaves us with no clear answers as to why such tragedies occur.
Critical Reception
Since its publication in 1915, Frost’s “Out, Out–” has garnered much critical acclaim. It has been praised for its commentary on mortality and human suffering, and its themes have been explored by countless readers and scholars alike.
The poem has been interpreted in a variety of ways, from a reflection on mortality to a commentary on the human condition. Critics have pointed to its striking imagery, clever use of language and its universal themes of powerlessness and sorrow. Moreover, Frost’s sensitive treatment of the story has been praised for its honest exploration of death and grief.
The poem has also been commended for its accessibility and wide appeal. Frost used simple words and a straightforward structure to create a poem that is enjoyed by readers of all ages and backgrounds. The poem is often anthologized in collections of modern poetry, and its lasting impact speaks for itself.
Symbolism in Robert Frost’s “Out, Out—”
The symbolism used in Robert Frost’s poem “Out, Out—” is integral to understanding the themes of the poem. The use of symbolism helps to illustrate the grim reality of mortality and to emphasize the fragility of life. The poem makes use of Biblical references, naturalistic imagery and mythological elements to convey its message.
The poem uses Biblical references to reinforce its themes of mortality. In the line “And they, since they/Were not the one dead, turned to their affairs” Frost uses a reference to Jesus’ presence during Lazarus’ death to illustrate the idea of life’s ephemeral nature. The reference serves to emphasize the cruelty of death and to suggest that life is ultimately out of our control.
In addition to its Biblical allusions, the poem also makes use of naturalistic imagery to evoke the tragedy of the boy’s death. Frost describes the boy’s saw as a “snarled menace” and likens it to a “serpent” in an extended metaphor to highlight the boy’s innocent victimization. This imagery serves to humanize the boy’s tragedy and to underscore the violence of the act.
The poem also contains mythological elements. Its title, “Out, Out—”, is a reference to Macbeth’s line in Act V, Scene V about life’s brevity. This is a powerful allusion that speaks to the enduring power of death and the tragedy of all mortality. The use of mythological elements serves to reinforce the themes of powerlessness and suffering, and speaks to the universal understanding of death and grief.
The Lasting Impact of “Out, Out—”
Robert Frost’s “Out, Out—” has had a lasting impact over the years since its inception in 1915. The poem continues to resonate with readers of all ages and speaks to the timelessness of Frost’s themes and poetic talent.
The poem’s success is due in part to its universal themes. The poem tackles issues of mortality and grief in a powerful and honest way while revealing insights into the human experience of death. Frost’s words are profound yet accessible, and this has enabled him to reach a wide audience.
In addition to its themes, the poem’s lasting impact is also attributed to its clever use of language and imagery. Frost utilizes poetic devices like extended metaphors and alliteration to create an evocative atmosphere and to highlight the tragedy of the situation. His repetition of the phrase “Out, Out—” speaks to the brevity of life and serves as a reminder of our mortality.
Frost’s “Out, Out—” is a timeless piece of literature that continues to captivate and inspire readers. The poem speaks to the enduring power of death, but also manages to evoke a sense of hope and resilience in its readers. Frost’s words are an enduring testament to the power of literature in communicating important and universal truths.
