W.B. Yeats - Poems

This blog is based on thinking activity assigned by Dilip Barad sir Click Here.

Question : 1. Compare the treatment of war in On Being Asked for a War Poem with other war poems by Wilfred Owen or Siegfried Sassoon.

Answer :

Introduction :

William Butler Yeats (1865–1939) was a towering figure in 20th-century literature and one of the most significant poets of the modernist era. His work bridges Romanticism and Modernism, embodying both a deep engagement with Irish nationalism and a universal exploration of spiritual, historical, and existential themes.

1. Yeats: The Poetic Silence :

Yeats chooses not to directly engage with the theme of war, expressing his reluctance in these lines:

"I think it better that in times like these
A poet’s mouth be silent, for in truth
We have no gift to set a statesman right."

This reflects Yeats's view that poetry should remain apolitical and transcend fleeting political concerns. His minimalist approach emphasizes the autonomy of art over the immediate brutality of war.

2. Wilfred Owen: The Gruesome Reality of War :

In "Dulce et Decorum Est," Owen graphically portrays the horrors of trench warfare:

"If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,
Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues."

Owen confronts the reader with vivid and shocking imagery of a gas attack, exposing the physical suffering and futility of war. This direct engagement starkly contrasts Yeats’s contemplative distance.

3. Siegfried Sassoon: Satirical Critique :

Sassoon, in "The General," uses satire to expose the incompetence of military leadership:

“‘Good-morning; good-morning!’ the General said
But he did for them both by his plan of attack.”

Sassoon's biting tone mocks the disconnect between officers and the suffering soldiers. This direct, angry critique of authority contrasts sharply with Yeats’s restrained and philosophical tone.

4. The Contrast in Tone and Philosophy :

Yeats’s tone is reflective and minimalist, as shown in the understated diction of "A poet’s mouth be silent."

Owen’s tone is empathetic and haunting, conveyed through graphic lines like "froth-corrupted lungs."

Sassoon’s tone is angry and satirical, demonstrated in his sharp critiques like "scarlet Majors at the Base."

Conclusion :

Yeats’s refusal to engage with the war on explicit terms highlights his modernist detachment, while Owen’s and Sassoon’s works focus on the immediate, visceral, and emotional realities of conflict. Together, they represent distinct approaches to the poetic treatment of war.

Question : 2. Write a modernist-inspired poem reflecting on a contemporary global crisis, drawing on Yeats’s themes and techniques. [Generate with the help of Gen AIlike ChatGPT or Google Gemini or Meta WhatsApp or Microsoft Co-pilot]

Answer : 

The Turning Gyre

The falcon wheels in skies of fire,
Its wings a blur, a thread of ire.
No master calls, no cry resounds—
Lost in the din, the world unwound.

The oceans rise to kiss the shore,
But salt and ash are all they pour.
Forests blaze, their roots undone,
As day succumbs to a blood-red sun.

Babels loom in smog-streaked haze,
Towers birthed from greed's embrace.
The hum of machines, relentless, cruel,
Drowns whispers of an ancient rule.

What rough beast crawls from the heat,
Where charred earth and ocean meet?
Its gaze is blank, its purpose clear—
To feast upon the child of fear.

And yet, within this ashen grave,
Green shoots defy, small lives are brave.
The falcon turns, the gyre repairs,
A fragile hope, a world re-paired.

This image generated by chat GPT.

Question : 3. Do you agree with Yeats’s assertion in 'On Being Asked for a War Poem' that poetry should remain apolitical? Why or why not?

Answer : 

Yeats believed that poetry should remain apolitical because he thought it should focus on timeless human emotions and universal truths rather than be tied to temporary events like war or politics. In his poem "On Being Asked for a War Poem," he suggests that a poet's role is not to "stir men to action" but to reflect deeply on the human experience.

However, others might argue that poetry can be a powerful way to speak out against injustice and give voice to important issues. It can inspire change and connect people to the human experiences behind political events.

Question : 4.  How does Yeats use imagery to convey a sense of disintegration in 'The Second Coming'?

Answer : 

The Widening Gyre:
Yeats begins with the image of a falcon flying in wider and wider circles,

"turning and turning in the widening gyre,"

symbolizing the loss of control and the breakdown of order. The falcon can no longer hear the falconer, showing a disconnection between guiding forces and the world.

Blood-Dimmed Tide:

He writes of a

"blood-dimmed tide" being "loosed upon the world,"

suggesting a flood of violence and destruction that drowns innocence and stability. This image reflects societal collapse and the spread of chaos.

Mere Anarchy:

The phrase

"mere anarchy is loosed upon the world"

evokes a sense of complete disorder, with no structure or moral foundation left. It paints a bleak picture of a world where everything has broken down.

The Rough Beast:

The closing image of

"a shape with lion body and the head of a man"

slouching toward Bethlehem is both eerie and foreboding. This beast represents a new and terrifying force that will emerge from the ruins, suggesting the arrival of a dark, chaotic era.

Conclusion :

Yeats's use of these haunting and symbolic images emphasizes the collapse of civilization and the terrifying uncertainty of what will follow. They create a mood of dread and inevitability, driving home the poem's apocalyptic message.

References :

“Dulce Et Decorum Est.” The Poetry Foundation, 11 Nov. 2024, www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46560/dulce-et-decorum-est.

“On Being Asked for a War Poem.” The Poetry Foundation, 22 June 2024, www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/57313/on-being-asked-for-a-war-poem.

“The General.” The Poetry Foundation, 22 June 2024, www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/57217/the-general-56d23a7de4d1c.

“The Second Coming.” The Poetry Foundation, 12 Aug. 2024, www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43290/the-second-coming.

Thank You !