The Second Coming by William Butler Yeats transcends through time like many of the poems we’ve been reading. With the pandemic, climate change, growing tension within our country and between other countries, the first stanza seems to depict the times we’re currently experiencing. Of course, Yeats was reflecting on World War I and his reference to Christianity is balanced with something a little less Christian; rather than Jesus as the second coming, he describes “A shape of a lion body and the head of a man, a gaze blank and pitiless as the sun.” He describes how innocence is gone, how the best people aren’t motivated to act and how the worst people are filled with intense passion. I know that most of us have never gone through a pandemic before, and I think that’s where the innocence is lost when I connect the current events with this poem. I also think the mention of the worst and the best people is quite accurate when compared to today.
The second stanza is a little disheartening and sort of a downer. Essentially, when one thinks “there has to be hope, there has to be light at the end of the tunnel”, the universe responds with “no, there is no light.” Or maybe the light is a different shade, is dimmer, or just a flicker. This second stanza describes how the deity above or around us, whether that be the universe or the lion/man creature, holds no pity for us. I thought the mention of Spiritus Mundi was really profound; I had to look it up and found that it describes “the collective soul of the universe, containing the memories of all time.” If I had read this a month ago, I think it would have affected me at a much deeper level. There was a point, during this pandemic, when I felt so utterly helpless and with little hope. The bad (death) just felt inevitable and after being cooped up for two months, it felt (and sort of still feels) like it will never end. But looking back at when Yeats wrote this, the war came to an end and things recovered for a little bit. I guess one just has to hold onto hope, even if it’s a foolish thing to do, considering the universe is, according to Yeats, looking down with such a gaze and with such seemingly dark intent. https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2015/04/07/no-slouch/
3 Comments
Desiree Hayton
5/29/2020 10:16:44 pm
I like how you tied your analysis back to what's going on in our world today. I also really liked how you brought up the idea of the "good" or, "bad" death; it's a concept that has shaped the way I live my life and love the people in it.
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Katie P
5/30/2020 12:12:38 pm
Great writing! I think that you did a wonderful job of analyzing this literary work. I like that you made a connection with the text and real life. Good Work!
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Alex Tischer
5/31/2020 04:07:26 pm
To each his own, experience-wise. What I find interesting about this pandemic is some people respond with extreme negativity to the circumstances, while some people break through obstacles previously tormenting them with the newfound solace. I feel, but could be wrong, that war is objectively bad for all involved. There really is no silver lining or grand takeaway. from war as I believe it is for a pandemic. Perspective is everything. I loved your analysis and person takeaways about this virus's effect on you. Stay strong and like you said, all hardship comes to an end. Without the hardship, peace wouldn't be appreciateed.
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Welcome!My name is Yasel and this website will be filled with my analysis on the British texts I'll be reading in class. I enjoy reading poetry and fiction and I occasionally write my own poetry. I welcome all comments with open arms so long as they pertain to the literature. Archives |