Choose a poem which describes an animal or a place or an event in an effective way.
Briefly state what is being described and go on to show how the techniques used in the poem make the
description effective.
(2011)
Answers to questions in this section should refer to the text and to such relevant features as: word choice, tone, imagery,
structure, content, rhythm, theme, sound, ideas…
Introduction
‘Out, out’ by Robert Frost is a poem which effectively describes the death of a young boy from an accident with a buzz-saw. The poet
highlights the main theme of death, and offers comment on the futility of death, through the use of a variety of literary techniques.
Through the vivid imagery and sensory description that is created we are able to clearly visualise the contrast of the peaceful setting at
the beginning of the poem to the horrific scenes as the boy has his accident and dies. The ever present noise of the buzz-saw and the
repetition of specific words can be seen to highlight the dangers in this quiet place and foreshadow the horrors to come. We can also
see that, through the use of minor sentences, Frost effectively highlights the last moments of the boy’s life and the use of a shocking
metaphor at the end effectively describes the family’s reaction to his death.
Paragraph 1
At the beginning of the poem the setting is both peaceful and beautiful. The poet uses imagery and sound techniques to contrast this
with the menacing ‘buzz-saw’:
-
How frost effectively describes setting – makes us imagine it well – like we are there
Contrast of the peaceful setting with foreshadowing of horror to come
Imagery - personification, sensory description
Sound – onomatopoeia, sensory description, alliteration
Description is effective as contrasts peaceful setting with dangers - how this makes us think of death and how it can come to
such a peaceful place – highlighted through the danger that lurks with ever present sound and image of ‘buzz-saw’
Paragraph 2
The repetition of the noise of the ‘buzz-saw’ and repetition of the word ‘saw’ further highlight the dangers to come:
-
Lead up/build up to the accident
Repetition of ‘snarled and rattled’ – foreshadowing of accident – no escaping it just as no escaping death itself
Repetition of ‘saw’ as noun and later as verb – emphasis of word – horrific
Further repetition of word ‘day’ – end of day – sunset – representative of boy’s life – of his death
Futility in loss of boy’s life – ‘call it a day, I wish they might have said’ – poet’s comment – only use of personal pronoun ‘I’ –
his feeling of regret for loss of boy’s life – social comment on child labour?
Paragraph 3
As the accident happens Frost uses minor sentences to effectively highlight the horror and futility of the boy’s death:
-
His death is strangely anti-climactic – emphasises the futility of life – effective as shows how easily life can be taken away
Use of minor sentences used to show how easily he died – ‘little-less-nothing!’ – his pulse weakening, dramatic – mimics his
heart beat fading. Also euphemism, another way of saying ‘he slowly died’ – 3 little words to represent how he died
like a candle – reference to title and Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’– sudden, unexpected, fragile like a candle flame
Paragraph 4
After the boy dies we are shocked at the family’s reaction as highlighted through the uses of a striking metaphor:
-
Use of metaphor ‘No more to build on there’ – very matter of fact at boy’s death
Does not seem to be any mourning for the boy
Social context – impact of boy’s death on family – one less set of hands to work – less money/food on table
Futility of death – poet’s comment – need not have happened if boy had not been working
Conclusion
Frost effectively describes the event of the boy’s death through a variety of literary techniques. He brings the scene to life through the
use of vivid imagery and sound techniques which effectively contrast the beautiful and peaceful scene at the beginning with the
horrifying and sad scene of the boy’s accident which leads to the boy’s death. The repetition of the key words ‘saw’ and ‘day’ clearly
highlight the dangers, even in this peaceful setting, of the saw and further highlight the futility of this boy’s death. As the boy’s life
comes to an end the use of minor sentences highlight how easily life can be taken away and we are left feeling such regret and sorrow
at the family’s reaction. Frost not only clearly highlights the theme of death through his vivid description of the scene but offers a clear
comment on the futility of his death: that this could have been avoided had the boy not been working at all. We can, however,
sympathise with the family and consider the poem in the social context of the time: that the boy working was a necessity even if he
should not have had to work. Frost is masterful in describing this sad and horrific scene and by placing this event in the social context
of its time.