1. Imagery: Frost paints vivid pictures with his words, creating a strong sense of place and atmosphere. For example, "The buzz-saw snarled and rattled in the yard / And made dust and dropped stove-length sticks of wood, / Sweet-scented stuff when the breeze drew across it." We see the saw's motion, hear its sound, and smell the wood.
2. Symbolism: The buzz-saw in the poem functions as a powerful symbol of the dangers of industrialization and the potential for human tragedy within it. It also represents the relentless force of nature, indifferent to human life.
3. Personification: The saw is given human qualities with phrases like "The buzz-saw snarled" and "the saw in the yard." This highlights the saw's menacing power and how it seems to take on a life of its own.
4. Free Verse: Frost's use of free verse, with its irregular line lengths and rhythm, creates a sense of immediacy and authenticity. It echoes the quick, unpredictable nature of the event and the jarring nature of the tragedy.
5. Juxtaposition: The poem starkly contrasts the idyllic setting ("the sun was warm") with the brutal reality of the accident. This creates a sense of shock and disbelief, highlighting the fragility of life.
"Out, Out—" is a poem that stays with you long after you read it. These poetic devices work in concert to create a lasting impression of the tragedy and its profound implications.