W.B Yeats - Poem

 This blog task is assigned by Dilip Barad sir as part of thinking Activity, for background reading you can check here .

Introduction 

W.B. Yeats’ poetry reflects his deep engagement with societal upheavals and the role of art in times of crisis. In "On Being Asked for a War Poem," he questions whether poetry should engage in political matters, a stance that contrasts with the direct war poetry of Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon. His modernist masterpiece, "The Second Coming," uses vivid imagery to depict chaos and disintegration, offering a lens to examine both historical and contemporary crises. This discussion explores Yeats’ treatment of war, the relevance of his themes today, and his poetic techniques in conveying societal collapse.

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

The treatment of war in W.B. Yeats' "On Being Asked for a War Poem" is very different from how war is portrayed in the poems of Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon. Yeats’ poem reflects his belief that poetry should not focus on war or politics. He deliberately avoids describing the horrors of war or glorifying it. Instead, Yeats emphasizes that poetry should aim to reflect deeper, universal truths, not immediate or emotional responses to events like war. He even expresses a sense of detachment, suggesting that the role of the poet is not to add to the noise of political conflict but to remain separate from it.

In contrast, both Owen and Sassoon take a much more direct approach to war. They write about its brutal realities, giving readers vivid, often shocking descriptions of what soldiers experience. Their poems aim to open people’s eyes to the true horrors of war, challenging the romantic or heroic image of soldiers that was often promoted during World War I.

W.B. Yeats' View of War in "On Being Asked for a War Poem"

In Yeats’ poem, he explains why he will not write about war. He feels that writing about such events could turn poetry into a tool for propaganda. Instead of joining others in commenting on the war, Yeats says:

“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 shows Yeats’ belief that poetry has no power to influence politics or change the course of events. Instead, he believes poets should focus on creating timeless art. His approach is thoughtful and philosophical, showing that he does not want to use poetry to engage in political debate.

Wilfred Owen: The Harsh Realities of War

Wilfred Owen’s poems, on the other hand, focus entirely on the suffering of soldiers and the horrors they endured in the trenches during World War I. In "Dulce et Decorum Est," Owen describes the agony of soldiers as they march through mud, exhausted and broken. He vividly captures a gas attack, showing how one man fails to put on his mask in time and dies a terrible death:

“He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.”

Owen’s purpose is to expose the truth about war and to challenge the idea that it is honorable to die for one’s country, famously calling this belief “The old Lie.” His poems are full of graphic details meant to shock readers and force them to confront the terrible cost of war.

Siegfried Sassoon: Anger and Satire

Siegfried Sassoon’s approach is equally powerful but different in tone. He often uses anger and sarcasm to criticize those who promote war while staying far from the battlefield themselves. In "Base Details," Sassoon mocks the officers who live comfortably while sending young soldiers to die:

“If I were fierce, and bald, and short of breath,

I’d live with scarlet Majors at the Base,

And speed young soldiers up to the line of death.”

Sassoon also writes about the mental and emotional toll of war. In "Suicide in the Trenches," he tells the story of a young soldier who could not cope with the stress of war and killed himself. Sassoon blames society for cheering war without understanding its consequences, saying:

“You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye

Who cheer when soldier lads march by,

Sneak home and pray you'll never know

The hell where youth and laughter go.”

 

2) Write a modernist-inspired poem reflecting on a contemporary global crisis, drawing on Yeats’s themes and techniques. 

Shadows of Tomorrow

The world spins off its axis, skewed and torn,

Voices rise like static at the break of dawn.

Borders blur, a fevered haze,

The past devoured by pixelled gaze.

Machines hum louder than the human heart,

Decisions made where souls depart.

Winds of war and whispers of peace,

Entangled threads that never cease.

What rough truth stalks through this maze?

What beast thrives in our blind malaise?

Leaders speak, but their words decay,

Promises scattered like ash in the fray.

A melting icecap, a silent scream,

Refugees drift on an endless stream.

The gyre widens, the tether frays,

Hope flickers dim in these modern days.

Yet in the dark, a spark may flare

A hand extended, a heart laid bare.

Through fractured skies and poisoned seas,

The world still turns, and dreams may breathe.

The poem "Shadows of Tomorrow" is inspired by W.B. Yeats' "The Second Coming." It mirrors Yeats' themes of societal collapse, chaos, and foreboding, with imagery like blurred borders and decaying promises reflecting disintegration. The apocalyptic tone and the concept of a "beast" evoke Yeats' "rough beast slouching toward Bethlehem." Like Yeats, the poem also leaves room for renewal, hinting at hope through human connection amidst turmoil.

Note : This poem is generated by AI tool Chatgpt 

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?

"In Yeats's 'On Being Asked for a War Poem,' he posits that poets should steer clear of political matters, especially war, arguing they lack the necessary expertise. While I understand his point, I believe poetry has a crucial role to play in addressing political and social issues.

Throughout history, poets have used their art to give voice to the voiceless, challenge injustice, and inspire change. From protest poetry to works that explore the human cost of conflict, poetry can offer unique insights and emotional depth that other forms of expression may not.

I believe whether a poet chooses to engage with political themes is a personal decision. However, I believe poetry has the potential to be a powerful force for good when it addresses the realities of our world."

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

In "The Second Coming," W.B. Yeats uses vivid and apocalyptic imagery to convey a sense of disintegration and chaos. He portrays a world falling apart, emphasizing the collapse of order and the rise of an uncertain future.

The Falcon and the Falconer:

Yeats opens with the image of a falcon spiraling out of control:

“The falcon cannot hear the falconer.”

This suggests a breakdown in communication and authority, symbolizing the loss of control and direction in society.

Widening Gyre:

The “widening gyre” represents a spiraling, expanding chaos, where the structures that held society together are unraveling. The cyclical nature of history, central to Yeats’ vision, has reached a moment of turmoil and transformation.

Blood-Dimmed Tide:

Yeats evokes a flood of destruction and violence with the phrase:

 “The blood-dimmed tide is loosed.”

This imagery conveys the overwhelming, unstoppable nature of chaos and the loss of innocence.

A Vast, Indifferent Desert:

The vision of the “rough beast” slouching toward Bethlehem emerges from a desert landscape, evoking barrenness, lifelessness, and a void where hope once existed.

Broken Moral Compass:

The lines,

“The best lack all conviction, while the worst

Are full of passionate intensity,”

 

illustrate a fractured moral order, where the virtuous are powerless, and the corrupt dominate.

Through these powerful images, Yeats captures the disintegration of societal, moral, and spiritual order, suggesting the end of an era and the ominous birth of a new one.

References 

"WB Yeats's Poems: 'The Second Coming' – 'On Being Asked for a War Poem.'" ResearchGate, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/387659837_WB_Yeats's_Poems_The_Second_Coming_-_-_On_Being_Asked_for_a_War_Poem. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.

Barad, Dilip. "IA Richards: Figurative Language." Dilip Barad's Blog, 27 Dec. 2014, https://blog.dilipbarad.com/2014/12/ia-richards-figurative-language.html. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.