After reading the poetry by Yeats (the later years) over the weekend, I have to say, I was a bit intimidated. Even after reading each poem multiple times, out loud, I was having a lot of trouble understanding the meanings behind all of them. Luckily for me, everything started to come together when we read and analyzed them in class over the last two days.
Even though I was unable to completely grasp the meaning of “The Second Coming” on my own, it was one of my favorites. First of all, I’m a bit intrigued by the concept of the gyre (especially after getting a better explanation in class on Monday). Secondly, the imagery in the poem was just fantastic. Even though I originally had no idea what the sphinx symbolized, I was left with a dark and somewhat creepy picture of “A shape with lion body and the head of a man/A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun” (14-15). And yes, Sarah, I would definitely see this image as “a bit trippy.”
I was glad that we got to go over “Among School Children” today. I realize now that my lack of understanding derived almost completely from a few lines, “I dream of a Ledaean body, bent/Above a sinking fire, a tale that she/Told of harsh reproof, or trivial event/That changed some childish day to tragedy” (10-13). Though the footnote said that this was a reference to Maud Gonne, I just didn’t totally get it. I guess a light bulb went off today and after understanding that one line, I was able decipher three-quarters of the poem instantly. I hope this continues.
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