'Yeats Died Saturday In France' by Delmore Schwartz
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Yeats died Saturday in France.
Freedom from his animal
Has come at last in alien Nice,
His heart beat separate from his will:
He knows at last the old abyss
Which always faced his staring face.
No ability, no dignity
Can fail him now who trained so long
For the outrage of eternity,
Teaching his heart to beat a song
In which man's strict humanity,
Erect as a soldier, became a tongue.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Yeats Died Saturday in France: A Literary Criticism
Wow! What a powerful poem! Delmore Schwartz's "Yeats Died Saturday in France" is a compelling and thought-provoking piece of literature. The poem captures the emotions and feelings of the people who loved Yeats and mourned his death. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will analyze the various literary aspects of the poem, including its themes, symbols, imagery, and language.
Background Information
Before diving into the analysis, let's first understand the context of the poem. William Butler Yeats was a renowned Irish poet, playwright, and politician who died on January 28, 1939, in France. Delmore Schwartz wrote "Yeats Died Saturday in France" as a tribute to Yeats and to express his grief at his death. The poem was published in "The Partisan Review" in 1940.
Themes
The poem explores several themes, including death, legacy, and the power of art. The central theme of the poem is death, as it mourns the loss of Yeats, who was a significant figure in the literary world. The poet uses various metaphors and symbols to represent death, such as "the worm" and "the shadow." Schwartz portrays death as an inevitable and natural event that no one can escape.
Another theme of the poem is legacy. The poet emphasizes the importance of Yeats's legacy and the impact of his works on future generations. The line "The words of a dead man/Are modified in the guts of the living" suggests that Yeats's words will continue to live on and influence people even after his death.
The poem also highlights the power of art. Yeats's poetry is described as "a voice that sounded like the voice of God." The poet suggests that Yeats's art has the power to transcend time and connect with people across generations.
Imagery
The imagery in the poem is vivid and powerful. The poet uses various images and symbols to convey his message. One of the most striking images in the poem is the "worm," which represents death. The worm is described as "a thing/Without a soul." This image emphasizes the finality and inevitability of death.
The image of the "shadow" is also used to represent death. The poet says, "The shadow falls/And the prisoner is taken" to describe Yeats's death.
Another powerful image in the poem is the "voice of God." Yeats's poetry is described as having a voice that sounds like the voice of God. This image emphasizes the power and significance of Yeats's art.
Language
The language in the poem is simple yet profound. The poet uses straightforward language to convey complex emotions and ideas. The poem is written in free verse, and the lines vary in length and structure, which creates a natural and organic rhythm.
One of the most striking aspects of the language is the use of repetition. The poet repeats the phrase "A great voice" throughout the poem, emphasizing the significance of Yeats's art. The repetition of the phrase "And he is dead now" highlights the inevitability and finality of death.
The language is also rich in metaphor and symbolism. The worm, shadow, and voice of God are all powerful symbols used in the poem. The use of these symbols adds depth and complexity to the poem.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Delmore Schwartz's "Yeats Died Saturday in France" is a powerful tribute to William Butler Yeats and a profound exploration of death, legacy, and the power of art. The poem's vivid imagery, simple yet profound language, and use of symbolism create a moving and thought-provoking work of literature. As readers, we are left with a sense of the significance of Yeats's art and the impact it has had on future generations. This poem is a must-read for anyone interested in the power of literature and its ability to transcend time and connect with people across generations.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Yeats Died Saturday In France: A Poem of Loss and Reflection
Delmore Schwartz’s poem, “Yeats Died Saturday In France,” is a poignant and reflective piece that captures the essence of loss and the passing of time. The poem is a tribute to the great Irish poet, W.B. Yeats, who died on January 28, 1939, in Menton, France. Schwartz’s poem is not only a tribute to Yeats but also a reflection on the nature of art, mortality, and the human condition.
The poem begins with the announcement of Yeats’s death, “Yeats died Saturday in France.” The opening line is simple and direct, but it sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The announcement of Yeats’s death is a reminder of the inevitability of mortality and the fleeting nature of life. The poem then goes on to describe the impact of Yeats’s death on the world of art and literature, “The mourners came / And brought their grief / To the solemn hall / Where the poets read.”
The poem is a reflection on the power of art and the role of the artist in society. Yeats was a poet who had a profound impact on the literary world, and his death was felt deeply by those who knew him and those who admired his work. The poem suggests that the artist’s work is a reflection of their own mortality, and that through their art, they can achieve a kind of immortality. The line, “The poets read their elegies / And the night air was heavy with the scent / Of flowers and burning candles,” captures the solemnity of the occasion and the sense of loss that permeated the air.
Schwartz’s poem is also a reflection on the nature of time and the passing of generations. The line, “The young poets came / To the hall of mourning / And read their poems / Of love and loss,” suggests that life goes on, and that new generations of artists will emerge to take the place of those who have passed. The poem is a reminder that while we may mourn the passing of great artists, their work lives on and continues to inspire new generations.
The poem also touches on the theme of identity and the search for meaning in life. The line, “And I, who have been reading / The poetry of Yeats / For twenty years, / And who have loved him / More than any other poet,” suggests that the speaker has found a sense of identity and purpose through their love of Yeats’s work. The poem is a reminder that art can provide a sense of meaning and purpose in life, and that the search for identity and meaning is a universal human experience.
The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the nature of death and the afterlife. The line, “And I wondered how many / Would understand / That to die is to become / A stranger,” suggests that death is a kind of transformation, and that the person who dies becomes a stranger to those who remain behind. The poem is a reminder that death is a part of life, and that we must all face our own mortality.
In conclusion, Delmore Schwartz’s poem, “Yeats Died Saturday In France,” is a powerful and reflective piece that captures the essence of loss and the passing of time. The poem is a tribute to the great Irish poet, W.B. Yeats, but it is also a reflection on the nature of art, mortality, and the human condition. The poem is a reminder that art can provide a sense of meaning and purpose in life, and that the search for identity and meaning is a universal human experience. The poem is a testament to the power of art and the enduring legacy of great artists like Yeats.
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