Robert Frost, in his poem ÒNeither Out Far nor In Deep,Ó demonstrates the futility of humanity as it longs for that which it can neither own nor understand. He achieves the conveyance of his message through a series of images relating to the sea. Despite the relative simplicity and terseness of his language, Frost expresses a deep meaning in this short poem.

The poem is divided into four stanzas of four lines each. The stanzas separate the poem into four distinct thoughts. The first stanza serves to introduce the reader to the situation and the thoughtlessness of the peopleÕs actions. In the second stanza, some observations of the sea are disclosed. Stanza three gives clues to the relationship between the people, their surroundings, and their desires. Finally, the fourth stanza shows the peopleÕs shallowness and general purposeless in the task Õwhich they have undertaken.

Although he does not use uniting techniques such as alliteration, Frost achieves flow and connection in this poem by rhyming every other line. Primarily, Frost uses an iambic rhythm, although it is by no means steady. His reason for utilizing iambs most likely stems from the fact that t

Frost uses the symbol of people standing Òalong the sandÓ (line 1) to illustrate longing. By giving no specific details, Frost imbues the people looking at the sea with a distinct anonymity. They Òall turn and look one wayÓ (line 2). Not one person differs from this action; not one submits to distraction and glances in another Ï direction. Their singleness of purpose imparts a robotic feeling into the scene.

This poem has a definite tone of resigned desperation. The speaker appears to realize that the plight he has witnessed is common to all humanity, including himself. Although he attempts to distance himself from the people of whom he speaks by using the word ÒtheyÓ instead of the word Òwe,Ó he cannot ever fully escape from this search. Frost challenges us all in this poem to recognize and eliminate the irrelevant searches of our lives and to accept our own stations and capabilities, despite knowing himself the near impossibility of doing so.

Fr îost repeats the word ÒlookÓ five times throughout the course of the poem. This word increases in meaning as the poem progresses. While it initially serves to define an action, in later lines it conveys a feeling that nothing has changed; the people continue to look out over the sea but still they cannot find anything of substance in it.

he views he expresses in the poem would be more easily accepted in a colloquial tone. Through the use of this tone, Frost could more

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Primarily Frost, Robert Frost, Analysis FrostÕs, �neither nor deep�, using word, sea boat, water comes, peopleÕs actions, instead word, nor deep�, �neither nor,