William Butler Yeats

Poetry Corner

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Analysis of "An Irish Airman Foresees His Death"

Title

The title "An Irish Airman Foresees His Death" is reflective of the fact that the airman foresaw his impending death. This title is significant in that it reflects the fate that many people fighting in war face. They know their death is approaching them with very little they can do about it.

Speaker

This poem is recited in first person. The poet is recounting the thoughts that are going through his mind as his death approaches. This choice of voice is important because it gives insight into the thoughts of the airman fighting on the verge of death.

Setting

This poem takes place around 1916 during one of the Irish civil wars in the skies over Ireland. The mood and atmosphere created by Yeats is of a solemn, peaceful tone. The pilot sees his death forthcoming yet he does not seem regretful or scared, but rather accepts the fate he is going to encounter.

Structure

The poem is one stanza long. It is divided into four sections and in each section the first and thrid lines rhyme, as do the second and fourth. There are approximately 8 syllables per line. The simple form reflects the rather simple theme of the poem.

Speech Figures

The poem has a rhyme pattern of ababcdcdefefghgh. A metaphor present in the poem is "Drove to this tumult in the clouds." (Yeats) Through this metaphor it explains that once the narrator had reached the peak of his flight, he has also reached the peak of his life. From here he will encounter his death. Anohter example of a metaphor presented in this poem is "A waste of breath the years behind." (Yeats) This passage from the poem is a metaphor which compares the years that have past and how they were a waste of time. An example of irony found in the poem is when he says he does not love or want to protect the people of his country, yet when people go to war they usually fight with honour for their country.

Since Ireland was considered a part of The British Commonwealth, the Irish were expected to act for the good of the Mother Land. That also meant dying for the Mother Land. The Irish had no quarrel with anyone except their own rulers.

Sense To Sound

Words were chosen carefully to fit the rhyme scheme and make it more appealling to the reader with the attempt to stress every second syllable.

Summary

This poem captures the essence of the mind set of a airman facing death. This insight is what makes the poem memorable. This poem is about an Irish airman pilot fighting in the war awaiting his death. He is prepared for death because after reflecting on his life he realizes that it has been a waste of time. This is reflected in the quote, "A waste of breath the years behind / In balance with this life, this death." (Yeats)

The Kiltartan Cross was a group of Roman Catholics that were directly related to the Air Force. These people had their own tartan, or their own colors for their kilts that they wore. The different types of tartan colors signified different groups of poeple whether it be a clan of people or a military group. They are poor because they do not have their own country. Under British rule.

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