Neither Out Far Nor in Deep by Robert Frost

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Neither Out Far Nor in Deep by Robert Frost

"Neither Out Far Nor In Deep," by Robert Frost, is a poem in which Frost is stating that when people visit the beach of an ocean, they always stare out towards the waters but never look back towards the land. Even if they can't see anything, it doesn't stop them from staring out at the sea. Frost is actually using this poem to symbolize the fact that people try to turn their backs from and ignore their problems or fears by leaving them for a while; but eventually they have to return and face those problems or fears.

The title itself suggests that nothing is ever very far or out of reach whether it is something good or bad, such as fears, worries, or troubles. The title is also foreshadowing the end of the poem. The first two lines of the poem are creating the image of people at a beach all standing in the same direction. Line two says they "All turn and look one way." They could all have the same type of look on their faces, or they could be looking in the same direction. Both ways, however, constitutes the reader to believe that all of them must have something in common. Frost does not distinguish anyone from the group. Instead he considers them as a whole; all of them seem sad or worried.

A little more of the meaning is revealed in line three. All of them turning their backs towards the land shows that there's something about the land that they don't want to be thinking about. Frost could have said that they were faced towards the sea and not have mentioned the land, but he didn't; so that shows the land having significance.

The next line could have been joined with the third line, but it makes more impact in this way. By putting it as its own senten...

... middle of paper ...

...ave to confront their problems and fears. It is human nature to try to forget about problems and be happy. Until those problems are confronted, the people won't truly be peaceful and happy.

"Neither Out Far Nor in Deep"

-Robert Frost

The people along the sand

All turn and look one way.

They turn their back on the land.

They look at the sea all day.

As long as it takes to pass

Aship keeps raising its hull;

The wetter ground like glass

Reflects a standing gull.

The land may vary more;

But wherever the truth may be---

The water comes ashore,

And the people look at the sea.

They cannot look out far.

They cannot look in deep.

But when was that ever a bar

To any watch they keep?

[1936]

Works Cited

Literature book 5th Edition Hoeper and Pickering

Page 996 "Neither Out Far Nor in Deep" by Robert Frost

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