Sounds of Poetry

The sounds of a poem are very important in conveying emotion effectively. The use of clever diction goes a long way for the reader in understanding the major theme of the poem. In Robert Frost's “Out, Out-”, the use of consistent sibilance and alliteration gives an overriding sinister effect to the meaning of the poem. When read aloud, this diction contributes to the personified evil nature of the “buzz-saw” that cuts off the young boy’s arm. Frost also uses plosives such as “puffed” and “pulse” to enhance the sorrowful moment of the boy’s last breaths and he employs aggressive words such as: “snarl” and “rattle" to further the animalistic traits of the saw. Furthermore, Frost uses repetition of words such as: "supper," "hand," "leap," and the phrase "snarled and rattled." The redundant words catch the reader's attention and their meaning becomes increasingly eminent. Overall, the sounds creating when reading "Out, Out-" due to sibilance, alliteration, and repetition contribute to the at times intense, and at times melancholy theme of this piece of writing.