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Analysis Of A Poem - Term Papers

Analysis Of A Poem

When You are Old, by William Butler Yeats, represents and elderly woman reminiscing of her younger days. A past lover whispers to her as she looks through a photo album. Basically, Yeats is showing that as the woman gets older, she is alone, but she does not have to be lonely. She will always have her memories for companionship.
“When you are old and grey and full of sleep, and nodding by the fire” (l.1-2) depicts the woman in her age, needing to nap more frequently. He speaks of a book (l.2) and the “soft look” of her eyes (l.3-4). This book signifies a photo album that contains pictures of her as young adult.
Yeats speaks of her “glad grace” (l.5) as her willingness to help and ...

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live “amid a crowd of stars” (l.12).
In the last verse of When you are Old, William Butler Yeats uses personification of love to enhance the image of the late lover waiting for the elderly woman. Lines 10-12 “Murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled, and paced upon the mountains overhead and hid his face amid a crowd of stars” give personal qualities to love. By capitalizing love, it becomes its own being, which waits impatiently, hence pacing the mountain. Yeats gives love a face hidden in the stars. The “face” is love’s distinguishing characteristics, such as tenderness and sensitivity.
The conclusion of When You are Old leaves the woman smiling to herself over the memories she has. She knows that one day she will be reunited with her true love, so she can live the remainder of her life peacefully.
I personally love this poem. It leaves me with a feeling of contentment, just thinking that someone with a little age, and all alone can look back upon her life and keep smiling until ...

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Analysis Of A Poem. (2007, December 23). Retrieved January 27, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Analysis-Of-A-Poem/76338

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 12/23/2007 08:59:24 PM
Category: English
Type: Free Paper
Words: 433
Pages: 2

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