What's the point of chopping wood? (Other than to measure how much wood a woodchuck could chuck, we mean.) Seriously, these farmers cut wood for their stove to keep warm. It's an essential activity to survival, and the saw helps make that work easier. Keep your eyes open, folks—this is an important one in "Out, Out." There are skills necessary to survive, and the amount of strength you can use as a farm boy indicates how valuable you are.
Questions About Strength and Skill
- What's the relationship between work and family here?
- Who's doing the work, the saw or the boy? Why do you think so?
- Is the family's primary concern the boy's ability to do work? How can you tell?
- What's the link between good work and maturity?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
The boy's work is essential to the family's survival. Go, boy, go (and watch your fingers while you're at it).
The boy was too young to do the work he was doing. For shame, strangely silent parents.