'That The Night Come' by William Butler Yeats


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SHE lived in storm and strife,
Her soul had such desire
For what proud death may bring
That it could not endure
The common good of life,
But lived as 'twere a king
That packed his marriage day
With banneret and pennon,
Trumpet and kettledrum,
And the outrageous cannon,
To bundle time away
That the night come.


Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, That The Night Come: A Detailed Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Oh, Yeats! What a master of words and imagination he was! His poems have the power to transport us to a different realm, full of mystery and magic. And among his many brilliant works, one stands out in particular: "That The Night Come". In this essay, we will explore the themes, symbolism, and literary techniques used in this remarkable poem.

Overview

First, let us have a brief overview of the poem. "That The Night Come" is a four-stanza poem, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. The poem's central theme is the inevitability of death and the hope that it brings. It is a celebration of the night that brings rest and comfort to the weary souls.

Analysis

Stanza 1

"Let the light of late afternoon
shine through chinks in the barn, moving
up the bales as the sun moves down.
Let the cricket take up chafing"

The first stanza sets the scene for the poem. The speaker is observing the late afternoon, and the play of light and shadow in the barnyard. The use of the word "chinks" creates an image of the sun's rays filtering through the slits in the barn's walls. The movement of the light up the bales is a metaphor for the passage of time. The sun, like all things, is moving towards its inevitable end. And as the sun moves down, the cricket takes up its chafing. The cricket's song is a symbol of life, and it continues even as the day comes to an end.

Stanza 2

"Weave, weave the sunlight in your hair—
the moonlight on your face,
yeux doux, yeux frivoles;
weave, weave the sunlight in your hair."

In the second stanza, the speaker addresses someone, perhaps a lover. The words "yeux doux, yeux frivoles" mean "sweet eyes, frivolous eyes" in French. The speaker is asking the person to weave the sunlight and moonlight in their hair and on their face. This imagery is a representation of the beauty of life, and the fleeting nature of it. The use of French adds a touch of elegance to the poem, and it also serves to create a contrast between light and dark, life and death.

Stanza 3

"The night that covers all familiar things
covers the wandering of her feet;
the murmur of living sighs,
and stillness round her lonely window-rings."

The third stanza is where the poem takes a darker turn. The speaker talks about the night that covers all familiar things. The darkness is a symbol of death, and it covers everything, including the wandering of the person's feet. The "murmur of living sighs" is a reference to the sounds of life that surround us, but which we often take for granted. The stillness round her lonely window-rings is an image of the person's isolation and loneliness. The night, however, brings a sense of peace and comfort to the lonely soul.

Stanza 4

"Let the love of the moon
swing you up to her,
but do not let the stars go.
They are all you have tonight—"

The final stanza brings the poem to a close, and it is a message of hope. The love of the moon is a symbol of hope and inspiration, and the speaker urges the person to let it "swing" them up to her. However, the speaker also reminds them not to let go of the stars. The stars are a symbol of the things that we hold dear, and they are all we have tonight. The night, even in its darkness, brings with it a sense of hope and possibility.

Interpretation

"That The Night Come" is a deeply philosophical poem that explores the themes of life, death, and hope. The speaker uses vivid imagery and symbolism to create a sense of mystery and wonder. The poem's central theme is the inevitability of death and the hope that it brings. The night, although dark and often associated with death, is also a source of comfort and rest. The speaker urges us to embrace the night, and all that it represents.

The use of French in the poem adds an element of elegance and sophistication. It also serves to create a contrast between light and dark, life and death. The use of rhyme and meter creates a sense of musicality and rhythm, which adds to the poem's overall impact.

Yeats was a master at using symbolism and imagery to convey his ideas. In "That The Night Come", he employs these techniques to great effect. The poem is a celebration of life, even in the face of death. It reminds us that there is always hope, even in the darkest of times.

Conclusion

"That The Night Come" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores some of the most profound themes of life and death. The poem's use of vivid imagery, symbolism, and language creates a sense of wonder and mystery that is both captivating and thought-provoking. The poem is a testament to Yeats' mastery of the poetic form and his ability to convey complex ideas in a simple and elegant manner.

In conclusion, "That The Night Come" is a poem that has stood the test of time, and it continues to inspire and captivate readers even today. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope, and that the night can bring with it a sense of peace and rest.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry That The Night Come: A Masterpiece by William Butler Yeats

William Butler Yeats, one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, wrote a masterpiece called "Poetry That The Night Come." This poem is a beautiful and haunting piece that captures the essence of Yeats' poetic style. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, imagery, and symbolism.

The poem begins with the line, "I have heard that hysterical women say." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that the speaker is about to recount a story that he has heard from someone else. The use of the word "hysterical" is interesting, as it implies that the women who told the story were emotional and perhaps not entirely rational. This sets up a contrast between the rational, male speaker and the emotional, female storytellers.

The next few lines of the poem describe the story that the speaker has heard. The women in the story are said to have "begged to be buried in a potter's field" rather than in a churchyard. This is a powerful image, as it suggests that the women are rejecting the traditional Christian burial and instead choosing a more humble and anonymous resting place. The use of the word "begged" also suggests that the women were desperate to be buried in this way, perhaps because they felt that they did not deserve a more dignified burial.

The next few lines of the poem describe the reason why the women wanted to be buried in a potter's field. They believed that "the suicides came there in the end." This is a chilling image, as it suggests that the women who told the story were themselves contemplating suicide. The use of the word "end" is also significant, as it suggests that the women saw suicide as a way of escaping their troubles and finding peace in death.

The next few lines of the poem describe the reaction of the speaker to the story. He says that he "laughed outright" when he heard it. This is a surprising reaction, as the story is not a humorous one. However, the speaker's laughter can be seen as a defense mechanism, a way of distancing himself from the emotional intensity of the story. The speaker goes on to say that he "knew that tale was not worth a groat." This is a dismissive statement, as it suggests that the speaker does not value the story or the emotions of the women who told it.

The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker's change of heart. He says that he "went out and inquired" about the potter's field and found that it was "a place for the dispossessed." This is a significant moment in the poem, as it shows that the speaker is no longer dismissive of the story. Instead, he is curious about it and wants to learn more. The use of the word "dispossessed" is also significant, as it suggests that the potter's field is a place for those who have been cast out of society.

The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker's reaction to the potter's field. He says that he "saw the night falling" and felt a sense of "mystery and fear." This is a powerful image, as it suggests that the speaker is experiencing a moment of transcendence. The use of the word "night" is also significant, as it suggests that the speaker is entering into a realm of darkness and mystery.

The final lines of the poem describe the speaker's realization that the story told by the women was true. He says that he "knew that the dead were there" and that he "felt the silence." This is a powerful moment, as it suggests that the speaker has come to understand the emotional truth of the story. The use of the word "silence" is also significant, as it suggests that the speaker has entered into a realm of stillness and contemplation.

In conclusion, "Poetry That The Night Come" is a haunting and beautiful poem that captures the essence of Yeats' poetic style. The poem explores themes of death, despair, and transcendence, using powerful imagery and symbolism to create a sense of mystery and awe. The poem is a testament to Yeats' skill as a poet and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience in his writing.

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