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| Sunday, 19 June 2005 |
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A/L English Literature Made Easy - Poets
Robert Frost (Poet of the 20th Century) Robert Frost is treated as poet laureate of America and one of his poems was read on the occasion of John F. Kennedy's acceptance as President of the USA. He was a nature poet and selected the rhythm of the speaking voice.
The title of the poem, seems to be influenced by William Shakespeare's Macbeth Out out brief candle Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more. Here the poet presents the story in a conversational tone and the syntax is clear. The setting up of the scenes is suitably arranged for the tragic event. The mechanical saw is on the move And the saw snarled and rattled snarled and rattled. It's on the move sending out the smell of wood that is being sawn. The saw sent out usual mechanical sounds without any special or significant events. As the working hours were about to be over, the sister in her apron, coming and standing near them making her announcement. Supper which is very significant. At the word supper, the saw As if to prove; as if 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! In his panic, he did not realise that he's already bereft of his hand. The poet, invites the ardent attention of the reader to this sad situation saying that the boy was unaware of the tragic event. The boy's extreme innocence and helplessness is clearly depicted by the visual image. The boy's first outcry was 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.... coincides with the auditory image And the saw snarled and rattled, snarled and rattled He reacted in a precarious manner letting off a rueful laugh. Finally the boy saw all. He wont be able to work without his hand. Doing a man's work though a child at heart He makes his saddest appeal to his sister. Don't let him cut my hand off The doctor when he comes Don't let him sister not realising in his pathetic state that his hand was already gone. His humble request to his sister in his panic. Don't let him sister The symbol of hope, his sister, highlights the most pathetic situation and the most affectionate request made to his sister in his helpless situation. The two lines are significant as they carry the feelings of someone close, affectionate, reliable and hopeful. The doctor's arrival and the boy being anaesthetised, his unconscious state and finally his death highlight the tragic atmosphere prevailing and then comes the usual procedure- ...the dead is dead and gone and the bustle and hustle and excitement and wailing fade away and people get back to their normal work. "....and they, since they were not the one dead turned to their affairs" Frost's perceptions are outstanding. His vision is distinct and his syntax is clear. Frost has used simple diction and the rhythm of the spoken language, setting the scenes for the tragic incident creating the appropriate atmosphere - an ordinary day, trend of work, casual as usual and beginning of the next day's routine in the usual manner. The sound effect used by the poet. "The buzz saw snarled and rattled in the yard" "......And the saw snarled and rattled..." highlighting the mechanical procedure of the saw - a lifeless object - that brought serious damage to the boy's hand and to his whole life. Out Out seems to mean mechanization, which could blacken the image of love, kindness and sympathy resulting in disaster. "He lay and cuffed his lips out with his breath, And then - the watcher at his breath took fright, No one believed. They listened at his heart, Little-less-nothing!" Shakespeare's Out Out deals with a matured man faced with certain death but in Frost's Out Out its association is with a 'Big Boy' not mature, to face sudden death. The poet seems to have a cynical attitude towards people who soon forget the dead highlighting the philosophical view - the frailty of life. Mrs. C. Ekanayake, Retd. specialist Teacher Eng. Lit., St. Anne's College, Kurunegala. |
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The
poem Out Out, brings out Frost's view of the 'World of Aesthetic
contemplation and the world of practical action and responsibilities'. His
poem Stopping by woods on a snowy evening, depicts his love of nature and
his extreme admiration with a deeper meaning suggesting man's duty and a
subtle blend of action and contemplation. 
