Out Out by Robert Frost

Question 1

What are the themes in ‘Out, Out - ‘ by Robert Frost?

Answer 1

Child labour
Death
Life goes on

Question 2

What is the effect of the use of dialogue in ‘Out, Out - ‘ by Robert Frost?

Answer 2

○More personal
○More intimately involved
○More dramatic

Question 3

Give an example of use in dialogue in ‘Out, Out - ‘ by Robert Frost. What does this reveal?

Answer 3

” ‘…Don’t let him cut my hand off -
The doctor, when he comes. Don’t let him, sister!’ “

The boy is understandably very stressed and distraught. Insight into the relationship with the sister. Vulnerable, terrified

Question 4

What is the tone of ‘Out, Out - ‘ by Robert Frost?

Answer 4

○Ominous → rattle of the saw
○Foreboding
○Regret → "Call it a day, I wish they might have said"
○Sympathy
○Shock and disbelief → "-nothing!"

Question 5

What do you make of the ending of ‘Out, Out - ‘ by Robert Frost?

Answer 5

○Blunt
○In-keeping with the bitter tone
○Anger towards the parents

“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”

Question 6

Give an example of onomatopoeia in ‘Out, Out - ‘ by Robert Frost, and the impact it has

Answer 6

“The buzz saw snarled and rattled in the yard”
○Adds to the overall image
○Menacing

Question 7

Give an example of personification in ‘Out, Out - ‘ by Robert Frost, and the impact it has

Answer 7

The snarling saw reminds us of a dangerous, aggressive animal, waiting to attack. It’s foreboding

Question 8

Give an example of repetition in ‘Out, Out - ‘ by Robert Frost and the impact it has

Answer 8

“The buzz saw snarled and rattles in the yard
…
…And the saw snarled ad rattled, snarled and rattled.”

○Repetition emphasises the poor condition and menace of the saw
○Builds suspense

Question 9

What is the structure of ‘Out, Out - ‘ by Robert Frost?

Answer 9

○Blank verse

○No structure