Hello,
This blog is assigned by Dr. Dilip. Barad Sir, and this written on the Answering on Question of W. B. Yeats poem and their point of Assertion of poetry and poem's Argument Apolitical art related, here some question of related to their poem and comparison with Sassoon's poem and Owen's views. And the very Notable poem "The Second Coming" By yeats, and the poem explores many unsettling imagery and That emphasize on Societal Disintegration.
Here, For More get understanding of poem so click on W. B. Yeats's Poem. Now, we are going to discuss the question and answer of poems.
Question : 1
Compare the treatment of war in On Being Asked for a War Poem with other war poems by Wilfred Owen or Siegfried Sassoon.
Answer :
🔷 Comparing Owen and Sassoon to "On Being Asked for a War Poem"
➡️ Yeats's "On Being Asked for a War Poem" stands in stark contrast to the harrowing and often brutally honest depictions of war found in the works of Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon.
Owen and Sassoon: These war poets, having experienced the horrors of trench warfare firsthand, focused on the physical and psychological trauma inflicted upon soldiers. Their poetry is filled with vivid imagery of death, mutilation, and the loss of innocence. Poems like Owen's "Dulce et Decorum Est" and Sassoon's "Suicide in the Trenches" offer unflinching portrayals of the war's brutality, aiming to expose its true nature and discourage future conflicts.
Yeats: In contrast, Yeats, removed from the front lines, adopts a more detached and philosophical approach. He questions the very nature of poetry and its role in times of war. He suggests that true art transcends the immediate and focuses on timeless truths about the human condition.
Essentially, while Owen and Sassoon sought to use poetry as a weapon against war, to expose its horrors and prevent future conflicts, Yeats believed that poetry should remain aloof from such immediate concerns. He argued that its true purpose lies in exploring universal themes of beauty, truth, and the human spirit, rather than serving as propaganda or a tool for political agitation.
Here is a point-by-point comparison of the treatment of war in W.B. Yeats' "On Being Asked for a War Poem" with war poems by Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon:
1. Purpose and Tone
- Yeats: Refuses to glorify or sentimentalism war, stating poetry should remain neutral and avoid contributing to propaganda. The tone is reflective and dismissive of the idea that poets should address war directly.
- Owen: Highlights the brutality and futility of war, aiming to expose its horrors and counter the glorification often found in patriotic rhetoric. The tone is grim and deeply empathetic (e.g., Dulce et Decorum Est).
- Sassoon: Blends anger and satire to criticize the war and its proponents, often mocking the establishment and their glorification of war (e.g., The General).
- Yeats: Avoids direct representation of war altogether, arguing that poetry should not be burdened with documenting war or swaying public opinion.
- Owen: Offers vivid, visceral imagery of the battlefield and the soldiers’ suffering, providing an unflinching portrayal of the physical and psychological toll of war.
- Sassoon: Focuses on the contrast between the experiences of soldiers and the detached attitudes of those in power. His poems often highlight the betrayal and dehumanization faced by soldiers.
- Yeats: Asserts that poets are not obligated to respond to the demands of society for commentary on events like war. Instead, he suggests that poetry’s role lies outside the political sphere.
- Owen: Embraces the responsibility of a poet to bear witness to the atrocities of war, using poetry as a tool for truth-telling and moral reflection.
- Sassoon: Sees the poet as a critic of war, using his verse to condemn its injustices and demand accountability.
- Yeats: Maintains emotional distance, refusing to engage with the war emotionally or artistically.
- Owen: Invokes deep pathos through vivid depictions of suffering and loss, encouraging readers to empathize with soldiers’ experiences.
- Sassoon: Evokes both anger and sorrow, using irony and stark descriptions to provoke outrage at the senselessness of war.
- Yeats: Minimalist and restrained, with no explicit war imagery; focuses instead on the philosophical question of poetry’s purpose.
- Owen: Rich in graphic and sensory imagery, vividly describing the horrors of war (e.g., "the blood / Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs" in Dulce et Decorum Est).
- Sassoon: Uses stark, often sarcastic language to contrast the grim realities of war with the sanitized narratives promoted by authority figures.
- Yeats: Indirectly critiques war propaganda by refusing to contribute to it, emphasizing the autonomy of poetry.
- Owen: Directly denounces war propaganda by exposing the lie of “Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori”.
- Sassoon: Bluntly mocks propaganda and the romanticization of war through bitter irony (e.g., Glory of Women).
- Yeats: Adopts a universal stance on poetry’s role, avoiding any specific reference to the war or its details.
- Owen: Deals with the specific realities of World War I, focusing on the soldiers’ suffering and the war’s human cost.
- Sassoon: Balances specific critiques of World War I with broader denunciations of the systems and ideologies perpetuating war.
So, now moving on the second question is based on how Yeats write poem and use some theme and technique.
Question:2
Write a modernist-inspired poem reflecting on a contemporary global crisis, drawing on Yeats’s themes and techniques.
Answer:
🔷 A Modernist-Inspired Poem on a Contemporary Global Crisis :
(Inspired by Yeats's themes and techniques)
➡️ The falcon cannot hear the falconer; The centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of time I have seen that shape before.
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.
🔺 Interpretation:
This poem, inspired by Yeats's "The Second Coming," reflects on a contemporary global crisis, such as climate change, pandemics, or political instability.
"The falcon cannot hear the falconer": This line evokes a sense of societal breakdown, where leaders fail to guide and control the forces they have unleashed.
"The centre cannot hold": This iconic phrase from "The Second Coming" highlights the disintegration of social order and the erosion of traditional values.
"Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world": This emphasizes the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the crisis, with widespread disorder and violence.
"The blood-dimmed tide is loosed": This imagery suggests environmental destruction, social unrest, and the erosion of human life and dignity.
The poem employs Yeats's characteristic use of religious imagery ("Spiritus Mundi") and a sense of impending doom, reflecting the anxieties and uncertainties of the modern world.
Here, the one poem Is i made by use of AI Tool chat gpt that based on the W. B. Yeats's theme and Technique so, now we can find a poem.
Modernist-Inspired Poem: Fragmented Chorus
➡️ The poem draws on modernist themes and techniques, reflecting on a contemporary global crisis—climate change and political unrest—through fragmented imagery and symbolic elements. Here's a detailed explanation:
1. Fractured World (Lines 1–2)
- Lines: "A globe, fractured— / Its splinters drift through blackened seas"
- Meaning: The fractured globe symbolizes a world divided and broken by crises such as environmental degradation and political turmoil. The "blackened seas" evoke the image of polluted waters, representing ecological collapse.
- Image Connection: The cracked globe at the center of the visual aligns with this depiction, emphasizing a shattered reality.
- Lines: "Where tides bear whispers of melting glaciers, / And smoke coils upward like forgotten prayers"
- Meaning: The melting glaciers represent climate change, while the "smoke" symbolizes wildfires and pollution. The "forgotten prayers" suggest humanity’s neglected responsibilities and unfulfilled hopes.
- Image Connection: Rising seas and wildfire smoke in the artwork mirror this idea, creating a haunting representation of environmental catastrophe.
- Lines: "In the ash-filled air, a clock ticks faintly, / Its hands trembling with unspeakable urgency"
- Meaning: The ticking clock signifies the limited time humanity has to address these crises. Its faint presence reflects how this urgency is often ignored or overshadowed.
- Image Connection: The faint outline of a clock in the image reinforces the poem's sense of impending disaster.
- Lines: "Protests swell, faceless voices rise— / Words scatter like leaves in a storm"
- Meaning: The protests symbolize widespread unrest and resistance, while the "faceless voices" reflect collective but anonymous struggles. The scattering words convey the fragility and chaos of such movements.
- Image Connection: The abstract, faceless figures in the image parallel the poem’s portrayal of protestors.
- Lines: "The sun sets ablaze in hues of warning, / Casting crimson light upon a dissolving horizon"
- Meaning: The fiery sunset represents danger and urgency, while the "dissolving horizon" suggests the erasure of hope and stability.
- Image Connection: The vibrant red and orange tones in the artwork correspond to this symbolic warning.
- Lines:"What songs shall poets sing of such a time?What truth lies in verses shaped by chaos?We write not to soothe, nor to inspire—But to witness the crumbling of dreams."
- Meaning: The poet reflects on the purpose of poetry during crises, rejecting escapism and inspiration in favor of truth-telling and bearing witness to humanity’s failings.
- Connection to Yeats: This echoes Yeats’s themes in "On Being Asked for a War Poem," where the poet wrestles with the role of poetry in tumultuous times.
The surreal, fragmented style of the artwork complements the poem's modernist approach, blending abstract visuals of environmental and societal collapse with introspective themes. Together, they evoke a profound sense Chaos and Urgency Reflection.
Question : 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?
Answer:
🔷 Yeats's Assertion on Poetry and Politics
➡️ Yeats's assertion that poetry should remain apolitical is a complex and controversial one. While he believed that art should transcend the immediate and focus on timeless truths, it's difficult to argue that art can ever truly be entirely divorced from the political realities of its time.
🔺Arguments for Apolitical Art:
Art can offer a unique perspective on political issues, transcending mere propaganda.
True art explores universal themes of human experience, which are relevant across time and political contexts.
Engaging in direct political commentary can limit the artistic vision and compromise the integrity of the work.
🔺Arguments Against Apolitical Art:
Artists have a responsibility to use their platform to address social and political injustices.
Art can be a powerful tool for social change, raising awareness and inspiring action.
Ignoring the political realities of the world can be seen as a form of complicity.
Ultimately, the question of whether poetry should remain apolitical is a matter of personal and artistic philosophy. While Yeats's perspective offers valuable insights, it's crucial to acknowledge the significant role that art can play in addressing the pressing challenges of our time.
🔺Arguments Agreeing with Yeats
Preserving Artistic Integrity:
- Yeats argues that poetry should not become a tool for propaganda. By remaining apolitical, poets can focus on universal truths and human emotions, rather than being swayed by transient political agendas.
- Example: Many of Yeats’ poems (e.g., The Lake Isle of Innisfree) focus on timeless, introspective themes rather than fleeting socio-political events.
The Limitations of Poetry:
- Poetry may lack the directness and pragmatism required to solve political issues, and it risks being misunderstood or misused when addressing complex matters like war.
A Space for Escape:
- In times of conflict, people may turn to poetry for solace and escape rather than to engage with divisive or distressing realities. Apolitical poetry can provide a refuge for readers.
Poetry as a Voice of Truth:
- Poetry has historically been a medium for exposing injustice and offering moral clarity, particularly during times of crisis. By avoiding political themes, poets may miss an opportunity to address important social issues.
- Example: Wilfred Owen’s Dulce et Decorum Est vividly critiques the glorification of war, challenging dangerous propaganda and shifting public perception.
Inseparability of Art and Politics:
- All art, including poetry, is shaped by the socio-political environment in which it is created. To claim poetry can or should remain entirely apolitical may ignore its inherently reflective nature.
- Example: Yeats himself explored political themes in poems like Easter, 1916, where he wrestles with the impact of the Irish nationalist uprising.
Responsibility of the Poet:
- Poets, as influential voices, have a responsibility to respond to significant events like war, offering critique, empathy, and perspective.
- Example: Siegfried Sassoon’s works criticize the dehumanization of soldiers and hold those in power accountable, fulfilling a moral obligation.
- Poetry’s purpose depends on the poet’s intention. While some may prefer to focus on universal themes, others may feel compelled to engage with political realities.
- Rejecting politics entirely can limit poetry’s potential to inspire change, challenge injustice, and resonate deeply with the struggles of its time.
In conclusion, Yeats’s assertion has merit in preserving the independence of poetry, but it is equally important to acknowledge that some of the most impactful poetry arises from a willingness to confront political and social realities.
Question:4
How does Yeats use imagery to convey a sense of disintegration in 'The Second Coming'?
Answer:
🔷 Imagery of Disintegration in "The Second Coming"
Yeats's "The Second Coming" is a powerful and unsettling poem that uses vivid imagery to convey a sense of impending doom and societal disintegration.
"Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold": This opening line immediately establishes a sense of chaos and instability. It suggests that the foundations of society are crumbling, and traditional structures of power and authority are losing their grip.
"Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world": This line further emphasizes the breakdown of order and the rise of chaos and violence.
"The blood-dimmed tide is loosed": This image evokes a sense of impending violence and destruction, with the "blood-dimmed tide" symbolizing the spread of bloodshed and suffering.
"The ceremony of innocence is drowned": This line highlights the loss of innocence and the corruption of human values in the face of impending chaos.
The "rough beast": The central image of the poem, the "rough beast" slouching towards Bethlehem, is a powerful symbol of impending doom. It represents the rise of a new, destructive force that will usher in a new era of darkness and violence.
"Spiritus Mundi": This concept, borrowed from Jungian psychology, refers to the collective unconscious of humanity. The image of the "rough beast" emerging from the "Spiritus Mundi" suggests that the forces of destruction are deeply rooted in the human psyche.
Conclusion:
These images, combined with the poem's unsettling tone and prophetic pronouncements, create a powerful and enduring vision of societal disintegration and the impending arrival of a new and terrifying age.
Reference:
Barad, Dilip. “W.B.YEATS Poems.” W.B.Yeats Poems, 1 Jan. 1970, blog.dilipbarad.com/2021/05/whauden-poems.html?m=1. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.
“Second Coming.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 28 Dec. 2024, en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Coming. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.
“On Being Asked for a War Poem.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Aug. 2024, en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_being_asked_for_a_War_Poem. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.
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