Life Goes On 'Out, Out' By Robert Frost

Pedro Valencia

Professor Mello

English 1B

1 May 2016

Life Goes On “The hour of departure has arrived, and we go our separate ways, I to die, and you to live. Which one of these two is better, only god knows” (Socrates). Death can occur at any given moment. Although it may happen so quickly, life itself may continue. In the poem “Out, Out-” by Robert Frost tells a story of a meaningless, sudden death that was encountered by a young boy as a result of cutting his hand while utilizing a saw. Frost does an excellent job of painting a vivid description in the readers’ mind of this tragic scenario. Not only does Frost utilize the method of imagery to great effect throughout the poem but also, personification, and blank verse as well as the difference

The setting happens to take place in Vermont, late one afternoon. As Frost mentions, “Under the sunset far into Vermont” (Pg.494). As the sun was setting, the young boy and the rest of the works got called in for supper by the boy’s sister. While in the process of using the saw, the young boy gets excited at the fact tat it is dinnertime therefore, unknowingly cuts his hand. The thought of the doctor amputating his arm is what happen to create great fear in the young boy. That fear is clearly expressed as he begs his sister to make sure the it doesn’t happen. As Frost states, “Don’t let him cut my hand off- The doctor, when he comes. Don’t let him, sister!” (Pg.494). By the time the doctor arrived at the scene, it was already to late. The innocent young boy had already lost his hand. His last breath occurred the moment before the doctor gave him a substance that induces insensitivity to pain. Frost illustrates, “The dealer put him in the dark of ether” (Pg. 495). Although the young boy’s death was bizarre, the last sentence of the poem illustrates how rapidly individuals move on with their life. As Frost states, “And they, since they- Were not the one dead, turned to the affairs”

Such a young life that was taken before it was his tie to go. In expectation to having lived a long, happy life ending in a natural occurrence. In other words, experiencing manhood and aging to death. His life sadly ended in a matter of moments. His life was meaningless. The boy’s surroundings move forward from this tragedy and plainly go back to their orderly procedures. His family as well as the doctor get back to their responsibilities. The boy’s rapid death illustrates how life can be so short. The method in which everyone got back to their own procedures illustrates how life is incoherent. The fact that when someone is no longer present simply doesn’t make a difference, is heartwarming because it is so true. Frost method of writing is impressing; he connects the reader with the story. It’s nearly as if the occurrence in the poem is actually happening and the reader is simply a “worker” who is standing by observing it all. It is Frost method of writing which formulates his poems to be so