Out, Out Analysis

Mountain Interval1916The buzz-saw snarled and rattled in the yard

And made dust and dropped stove-length sticks of wood,

Sweet-scented stuff when the breeze drew across it.

And from there those that lifted eyes could count

Five mountain ranges one behind the other

Under the sunset far into Vermont.

And the saw snarled and rattled, snarled and rattled,

As it ran light, or had to bear a load.

And nothing happened: day was all but done.

Call it a day, I wish they might have said

To please the boy by giving him the half hour

That a boy counts so much when saved from work.

His sister stood beside them in her apron

To tell them "Supper." At that word, the saw,

As if to prove saws knew what supper meant,

Leaped out at the boy's hand, or seemed to leap --

He must have given the hand. However it was,

Neither refused the meeting. But the hand!

The boy's first outcry was a rueful laugh,

As he swung toward them holding up the hand

Half in appeal, but half as if to keep

The life from spilling. Then the boy saw all --

Since he was old enough to know, big boy

Doing a man's work, though a child at heart --

He saw all spoiled. "Don't let him cut my hand off --

The doctor, when he comes. Don't let him, sister!"

So. But the hand was gone already.

The doctor put him in the dark of ether.

He lay and puffed his lips out with his breath.

And then - the watcher at his pulse took fright.

No one believed. They listened at his heart.

Little -- less -- nothing! -- and that ended it.

No more to build on there. And they, since they

Were not the one dead, turned to their affairs.

.: :.

if you see any reference to child labour in this poem you need your head examined....child labour facroties don't call the kids in for supper after a day's work out in the one. and they wouldn't call in a doctor either...
wow you people over analyse this thing

| Posted on 2008-08-24 | by a guest

.: :.

this poem is about life on a farm,since families working in farms thos days had to do their equal share when handling the chores, thus i feel this has nothing to do with child labour(however there is a slight tone of condemnaton in the poet when mentioning the type of work which has been allocated to the boy- chopping wood with a buzz saw).. and since the poet was inspired by the shakesperean lines employed in macbeth.."out out brief candle, life's but a walking shadow" it is only natural to assume that the poem is indeed discussing the brevity of life.. of how things can change in an instant.."by giving him half the hour" he could literally have been "saved from work". this line i feel is tinged with irony to reveal the unpredictability of life. he talks of how their lives have become so mechanised that they scarcely have time to appreciate nature and the beautiful sceneries that surround them " and from there those that lifted eyes could count, five mountain ranged one behind the other". work has consumed their lives to the extent where they have almost become desensitized to human emotion. the lack of intimacy between the family is evident when the sister walks in to make a monosyllabic utterance; "supper". no salutations or intimate words bewteen the siblings. even at the point where the boy faces the thought that crosses his mind is how he'll become a hindrance rather than a help, a liability to his family if he survives without his hand.."the boy saw all spoilt". no post mortems, no grievances, the reacton of the family at the boys death is frighteningly indeifferent."no more to build on there, since they were not the on dead, turned to their affairs".. the reason why a child was chosen in this instance i feel is to further epitomize the uncertainty of life, because he has his entire life ahead of him yet the cruelty of fate wishes it otherwise.. again in accordance with Macbeth's infamous proclamation after his wife's death, where he later mentions that perhaps it was not her time to go..

| Posted on 2008-08-04 | by a guest

.: :.

I basically think that the message of this poem is that life is too brief. The allusion to Macbeth only acts to support this opinion. In Macbeth's speech he compares life to a candle, a brief candle that can be too easily put out.
In my opinion, this poem has nothing to do with child labour. The use of a boy in this poem advocates the message that life is too short, and it is also in accordance with the event in the newspaper.

| Posted on 2008-06-11 | by a guest

.: OUT RESPONSES :.

YOU GUYS ARE CLEARLY IDIOTS AND DONT UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF THE POEM, CANT YOU SEE ITS ABOUT THE DANGERS OF HAVING SUPPER, VERY BAD THING TISK....

| Posted on 2008-06-08 | by a guest

.: Childhood :.

At the time this poem was written, childhood as we know it today was still a relatively new social invention. Children were not considered innocent of sin, and childhood was not a special phase of life set aside for play and learning. "Childhood" was born during the industrial revolution, in part as a protest against the severity of child labor outside farm communities in urban industrial settings. Prior to industrialization, and continuing today in agrarian societies, children were considered small adults with adult responsibilities and sensibilities. So this poem may in part be a condemnation of child labor under industrialism; it is in fact a buzz-saw and not a hand-held ax that separates the boy from his hand.
However, to me this poem is more a melancholy reminder of the fragile nature of human mortality. We all will someday be alive at one moment and dead the next moment, for reasons we cannot control. All will die, a thought unsettling to those who take excellent care of their bodies in unconscious pursuit of earned immortality. The cause or reason for each of our deaths may be considered fair or unfair, but only the survivors of the dead have the privilege of interpreting the death, and the death in this poem, as we, the living, return to our affairs.

| Posted on 2008-06-03 | by a guest

.: "Out Out-" :.

This poem completely talks about child labor i am inclined to differ with the person who posted the first post. it was written around world war 1 and at that time children were taking part in battle. The poet is vaguely condemning society for its pressure on young children to perform and carry out tasks of adults which inevitably lead to tragedies such as the Boy's death in this poem.

| Posted on 2008-05-31 | by a guest

.: Out, Out :.

This is a fantastic poem by Robert Frost and those of you who feel different do not truly understand the meaning behind it. This title is taken from Shakespeare's Macbeth and the plot of the poem is taken from a very old obituary around the early 1900's. This poem is in no way related to "child labor" or anything of that nature. Please do your research in making such assumptions. And for those of you who feel that the poem is about not taking life for granted and that death happens quickly are absolutely correct. (Please do not use internet slang and type out the words you would like to say or do not say any at all!)

| Posted on 2008-05-27 | by a guest

.: Out, Out :.

This is a fantastic poem by Robert Frost and those of you who feel different do not truly understand the meaning behind it. This title is taken from Shakespeare's Macbeth and the plot of the poem is taken from a very old obituary around the early 1900's. This poem is in no way related to "child labor" or anything of that nature. Please do your research in making such assumptions. And for those of you who feel that the poem is about not taking life for granted and that death happens quickly are absolutely correct. (Please do not use internet slang and type out the words you would like to say or do not say any at all!)

| Posted on 2008-05-27 | by a guest

.: Out, Out :.

This is a fantastic poem by Robert Frost and those of you who feel different do not truly understand the meaning behind it. This title is taken from Shakespeare's Macbeth and the plot of the poem is taken from a very old obituary around the early 1900's. This poem is in no way related to "child labor" or anything of that nature. Please do your research in making such assumptions. And for those of you who feel that the poem is about not taking life for granted and that death happens quickly are absolutely correct. (Please do not use internet slang and type out the words you would like to say or do not say any at all!)

| Posted on 2008-05-27 | by a guest

.: Out, Out :.

This is a fantastic poem by Robert Frost and those of you who feel different do not truly understand the meaning behind it. This title is taken from Shakespeare's Macbeth and the plot of the poem is taken from a very old obituary around the early 1900's. This poem is in no way related to "child labor" or anything of that nature. Please do your research in making such assumptions. And for those of you who feel that the poem is about not taking life for granted and that death happens quickly are absolutely correct. (Please do not use internet slang and type out the words you would like to say or do not say any at all!)

| Posted on 2008-05-27 | by a guest

.: Out Out :.

This poem is about the Brevity of life and how people rarely take the time to appreciate life. WHen Frost writes "And from there those who lifted their eyes could count 5 mountain ranges under the sunset in fair vermont". Brevity of life guys....appreciate life

| Posted on 2008-05-22 | by a guest

.: :.

I don't get why people think that this is about child labor!! Most people I know have to do chores and I know people who live on farms and have to do stuff like that. My parents had to chop wood when they were little, and that doesn't mean that they were suffering from child labor. Even kids do chores. So how are you getting child labor from this?!?! Also, I think this poem is just about a boy who happened to cut off his hand when he got distracted by his sister calling supper. And the end where it says "And they, since they/Were not the one dead, turned to their affairs", I think that just means that LIFE GOES ON and you have to go with it.

| Posted on 2008-05-21 | by a guest

.: Imbeciles. :.

I found this particular site on Google, looking for the meaning of the title of "Out, Out", for a homework assignment. Look, if you feel the need to criticize a poem written 100 years ago for the sake of child labor laws, please, use English and not internet slang. And by all means, build a time machine and visit Robert Frost to voice your opinion personally. Whoever posted the comment about the allusion to Macbeth, thank you; and those of you that spell the word "you" without the first two letters, grow a brain.

| Posted on 2008-05-20 | by a guest

.: :.

I feel the peom focuses mainly on the themes of death, and as frost experiemced many incidents of deatrh of his close family, this fits, he shows how life i precious, can be taken away at any point. i dontthe family of the boy were selfish or cold, i feel they knew they had 2 continue life after the boys deth, to support the other children, maybe this is what frost felt when his children died?

| Posted on 2008-05-13 | by a guest

.: :.

This poem doesn't deal with child labour at all. It looks at how death can occur at anytime or anywhere, as in this case a boy doing some domestic work. Life can taken away harshly from the youngest of persons, and it does affect the persons around negatively, it is a regretted event, however, life is like that, no one can change what is past. Life continues for everyone else around. As said in Home Burial "One from the time when one is sick to death, one is alone and is even more alone in death", hence, life does continue for everyone else. The persons in the poem were taking a pragmatic approach to the situation.

| Posted on 2008-05-12 | by a guest

.: :.

i dont think it is an allusion to mcbeth because it was based on a true story and if u read the news article that he read before writing the poem they are exactly the same maybe the title came from mcbeth but not the rest

| Posted on 2008-05-12 | by a guest

.: :.

I believe Robert Frost did a great job in displaying the cruelty and unfairness of child labor. For all you who are against this poem, must understand that a child is supposed to play, explore, and have fun in the world. Children should not be given the burden of doing jobs of adults. Most of life, people have to work and bear life's burdens, but children should have the chance of just having fun being a "kid."

| Posted on 2008-05-04 | by a guest

.: :.

I believe Robert Frost did a great job in displaying the cruelty and unfairness of child labor. For all you who are against this poem, must understand that a child is supposed to play, explore, and have fun in the world. Children should not be given the burden of doing an adults' jobs. Most of life, people have to work and bear life's burdens, but child should have the chance of just have fun being a "kid."

| Posted on 2008-05-04 | by a guest

.: out out :.

The last line, "No more to build on there. And they, since they Were not the one dead, turned to their affairs." shows that the speaker of this poem was just an onlooker and was not connected to the boy in any way. They just moved on and didnt really think about it. The speaker is probably telling a story about what happened to a small group of people. For example, if you read about a death in a newspaper, it doesnt really effect you in any way. You just move on about your buisness.

| Posted on 2008-05-03 | by a guest

.: "Out, Out..." :.

Look people, Frost was commenting upon the shock of death and how people react to it. The kids didn't expect it anymore than we did. But it happens. A kid gets killed with his mother walkin home from school. crap happens. It's what we do about it, how we react that matters. At first the others in the poem appear callous,and the narrator the only one who seems to be affected by the death - "Call it a day, I wish they might have said/ To please the boy by giving him the half hour/ That a boy counts so much when saved from work - but does that change the reality of what has happenned? The others choose to give no more to death - which has already taken one away from them (something that cannot be altered) any carry on with life. Persevering in the inevitability of a harsh reality.

| Posted on 2008-04-28 | by a guest

.: :.

To the guest who owns the child labor facilities,
You are a true american hero. if we had more child labor facilities in america we wouldn't have to buy crap from China. sir...I salute you.

| Posted on 2008-04-28 | by a guest

.: :.

i hate bots. i hope their aren't any bots up in here. i don't wanna go all I-robot. all Big Willy Style!!!! na na na na nana na na na nana gettin jiggy wit it.

| Posted on 2008-04-28 | by a guest

.: :.

I own several child labor facilities and I must say you people don't know anything you speak of. Every single one of these kids are happy as hell to be here, after you smack them up a bit. So come in here with your mip mop scalywags and tell me my business is cruel or Ill employ you as well.

| Posted on 2008-04-28 | by a guest

.: :.

What the hell is wrong with this Mr. Frost. He is hella sick in his mind and should be put in a mental institution for his gross use of Child labor

| Posted on 2008-04-28 | by a guest

.: :.

robert frost is a sick s.o.b. he only writes about children who either eat each other or die. oh wait that was the lord of the flies...

| Posted on 2008-04-28 | by a guest

.: :.

True dat, true dat, I was all pickin at dis beazee and she was all up in mah ying yang until she yanked about child labor and i smacked up dat shemiznang

| Posted on 2008-04-28 | by a guest

.: :.

I hella agree wit dat guy. that kid was all like on da grind then his hand was all like PEACE!! crazy...crazy.

| Posted on 2008-04-28 | by a guest

.: :.

I am also disgusted with the intense use of child labor, I cannot even believe this author would even write such a terrible thing, Its unimaginably horrificaly horrible.

| Posted on 2008-04-28 | by a guest

.: :.

This had grotesque use of child labor, it literaaly made me want to vomit. plus that poor innocent child cut his hand off.

| Posted on 2008-04-28 | by a guest

.: :.

i thought this poem was joyous in the beginning given the imagery, but becomes sorrowful...i also felt this was an extended imagery....watcha guys think?

| Posted on 2008-04-23 | by a guest

.: :.

i thought this poem was joyous in the beginning given the imagery, but becomes sorrowful...i also felt this was an extended imagery....watcha guys think?

| Posted on 2008-04-23 | by a guest

.: death :.

this is a brilliant sight that is really helping me with revision :].
look at macbeths out out quote. his wife has died. hes upset and angry.
the fact is that no one can control their life and sooner or later everyone dies. its only a matter of time. macbeth is strongly affected by his wifes death. and although the end of out, out hints that his family and friends dont care, they in fact do. remember they are in an age where everyone has to work to support eachover. they care because they have lost a working son and at the same time a son/friend. they now realise of their problems to come.
although its quite harsh, i believe that the family would want him dead if he hasnt got a hand left. he would become a cripple that is actually a reduction of money. he wouldnt be able to get a job without a hand and lose this one since its a very physical job that obviously requires two hands.
even though he is exhausted by the work he doesnt actually want to give up his hand. the medicine in those days was bad and he knew there was a large chance he could die. i believe that he actually enjoys being the head of his family (a sense of no dad there otherwise hed be doing the work) and getting the money in to support his family.
once again thank you very much.

| Posted on 2008-04-23 | by a guest

.: :.

the titile "out out" comes from william shakespeare's play macbeth. The actually poems bases is just that life is short, look at the character used he is a child even further saything the life may be short.

| Posted on 2008-04-22 | by a guest

.: Poem meaning :.

x really helps with the information. The title is from Macbeth showing how short life is. The showing of nature shows that the family is too hard at work to notice that. The losing of the hand means that work cannot be done anymore and the boy would've been a burden if he hadn't died. That is why everything went back to normal.. everyone would have to work harder now.Knoll's english

| Posted on 2008-04-21 | by a guest

.: wat? :.

this is trash man! i dont get y they write something like this that means nonsense!! i mean, they should atleast write something that has some meaning into it....i totally dont get this!!!

| Posted on 2008-04-16 | by a guest

.: Frost. :.

i dont see how this can be suicidal. the boy, as mentioned before, is doing work probably because there isnt a constant father figure. my opinion is this---Analysis of Out, Out by Robert Frost
"Out, Out--" by Robert Frost is a poem about a young boy who dies as a result of cutting his hand using a saw. In order to give the reader a clear picture of this bizarre scenario, Frost utilizes imagery, personification, blank verse, and variation in sentence length to display various feelings and perceptions throughout the poem.
Frost begins the poem by describing a young boy cutting some wood using a "buzz-saw." The setting is Vermont and the time is late afternoon. The sun is setting and the boy's sister calls he and the other workers to come for "Supper." As the boy hears its dinnertime, he gets excited and cuts his hand on accident. Immediately realizing that the doctor might amputate his hand, he asks his sister to make sure that it does not happen. By the time the doctor arrives, it is too late and the boy's hand is already lost. When the doctor gives him anaesthetic, he falls asleep and never wakes up again. The last sentence of the poem, "since they (the boys family and the doctor) were not the one dead, turned to their affairs" shows how although the boys death is tragic, people move on with their life in a way conveying the idea that people only care for themselves.

| Posted on 2008-04-08 | by a guest

.: :.

the meaning is very simple. most people hear it on a dialy basis. "a boy should not be doing a mans job"

| Posted on 2008-04-03 | by a guest

.: shoot! :.

after reading like 50 of these comments, their all the same thing! yet still confusing me... i've just started to write an essay on it for my exam in a week and i've just read a gagilion comments which were all the same but in different words!
i have learnt much from all this though. thanks for the bits of analysis stuff everyone! ...
We all have different comments and perspectives of this poem by Robert Frost. All your info is derived from your teachers and generations back. Info changees! Crap comes up. But see Robert Frost IS the only one who knows the true meaning of this explicit poem.
So who's met him?

| Posted on 2008-03-28 | by a guest

.: :.

i think he's making an allusion to Macbeth. The boy did not cut off his hand on purpose, he's a kid, how many of ya'll would cut your hand off on purpose when you were 10? i think it is about how quickly and unexpected someones life can pass and that you have to keep on living. thanks to everyone who has posted their thoughts on here its definatly gonna help me on my englsih final tomorrow... yes i procrastinated big time.

| Posted on 2008-03-26 | by a guest

.: :.

Frost wrote this poem after he read the following newspaper article:
Lancaster, Nov 18th – John M. Adams, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Adams, Route 3, Riverton, died last Saturday evening as a result of injuries he received while operating a power saw on his parents’ farm.
The accident happened late Saturday afternoon while young Adams, his brother Stephen, 12, and his father were sawing logs. Apparently, the boy was momentarily distracted while feeding a piece of wood into the blade, which caught his hand and amputated it.
The youth’s sister, Maude, 17, was witness to the accident. She said that her mother had sent her to call her father and brother to supper. The accident occurred, she said, just as she called to them.
Mr. Adams immediately drive to nearby Riverton for a doctor. He finally located Dr. E. L. White and drive him back to the farm.
Fr. White said that when he arrived the boy was already in shock from loss of blood, and that it was impossible to save him. The cause of death was listed by the coroner as accidental.
Funeral services on Tuesday were held in Riverton Congregational Church, and internment was in Good Hope Cemetary.
There is something in the magic of a poem that captures more than an obituary can. The use of imagery and the reference to Macbeth ("out, out") both make this scene powerful and real. By placing us in the scene as it takes place, it is full of action and tension.

| Posted on 2008-03-22 | by a guest