A.J.M. Smith's "Ode on the Death of William Butler Yeats"- CORE VIII CANADIAN STUDIES

 Lesson 4: A.J.M. Smith's "Ode on the Death of William Butler Yeats"

Stanza 1:

An old thorn tree in a stony place

Where the mountain stream has run dry,

Torn in the black wind under the race

Of the icicle-sharp kaleidoscopic white sky,

Bursts into sudden flower.

Let's break it down:

This stanza sets a bleak, wintry scene symbolizing death. The old thorn tree represents Yeats, while the dry stream and harsh environment suggest the end of life. The sudden flowering amid this bleakness symbolizes the enduring power of Yeats' poetry even after his death.

Stanza 2:

Under the central dome of winter and night

A wild swan spreads his fanatic wing.

Ancestralled energy of blood and power

Beats in his sinewy breast. And now the ravening

Soul, fulfilled, his first-last hour

Upon him, chooses to exult.

Let's break it down:

The wild swan, a common motif in Yeats' poetry, represents the poet himself. The imagery of winter and night continues the death theme. The swan's "fanatic wing" and "ancestralled energy" suggest the passionate, historically-rooted nature of Yeats' work. The swan's exultation in its "first-last hour" symbolizes Yeats' poetic legacy transcending his death.

Stanza 3:

Over the edge of shivering Europe,

Over the chalk front of Kent, over Eire,

Dwarfing the crawling waves' amoral savagery,

Daring the hiding clouds' rhetorical tumult,

The white swan plummets the mountain top.

Let's break it down:

This stanza emphasizes the far-reaching impact of Yeats' work, spanning from Europe to Ireland (Eire). The swan's flight over these landscapes symbolizes how Yeats' poetry transcends geographical and cultural boundaries. The powerful imagery of the swan plummeting to the mountain top suggests the profound impact of Yeats' work.

Stanza 4:

The stream has suddenly pushed the papery leaves!

It digs a rustling channel of clear water

On the scarred flank of Ben Bulben.

The twisted tree is incandescent with flowers.

The swan leaps singing into the cold air:

This is a glory not for an hour.

Let's break it down:

Here, we see a transformation. The previously dry stream now flows, symbolizing renewed life and inspiration. The "incandescent" flowering of the twisted tree represents the enduring beauty and power of Yeats' poetry. The swan's leap and song suggest that Yeats' artistic legacy will continue beyond his physical life.

Stanza 5:

Over the Galway shore

The white bird is flying

Forever, and crying

To the tumultuous throng

Of the sky his cold and passionate song.

Let's break it down:

In this final stanza, the image of the swan flying "forever" over the Galway shore (in Ireland) reinforces the idea of Yeats' eternal poetic legacy. The "cold and passionate song" echoes the contrasting elements in Yeats' poetry - intellectual rigor and emotional intensity.

Let's begin with an introduction:

A.J.M. Smith's "Ode on the Death of William Butler Yeats" is an elegiac tribute to the renowned Irish poet. This poem explores themes of artistic legacy, the power of poetry, and the cyclical nature of life and death. Through rich imagery and symbolism, Smith commemorates Yeats while reflecting on the enduring impact of his work.

I. Two-mark Questions and Answers:

1. Q: What tree is mentioned in the first stanza?

   A: An old thorn tree is mentioned.

2. Q: What bird is used as a central image in the poem?

   A: A wild swan is the central bird image.

3. Q: Over which Irish landmark does the swan fly in stanza 4?

   A: The swan flies over Ben Bulben.

4. Q: What Irish shore is mentioned in the final stanza?

   A: The Galway shore is mentioned.

5. Q: What sudden change happens to the tree in stanza 4?

   A: The tree becomes incandescent with flowers.

6. Q: What geographical feature is described as having a "chalk front"?

   A: Kent is described as having a chalk front.

7. Q: What season is implied in the poem's opening stanza?

   A: Winter is implied in the opening stanza.

8. Q: What part of the swan is described as "fanatic"?

   A: The swan's wing is described as fanatic.

9. Q: What kind of leaves does the stream push in stanza 4?

   A: The stream pushes papery leaves.

10. Q: How is the swan's song described in the final stanza?

    A: The swan's song is described as cold and passionate.

II. Five-mark Questions and Answers:

1. Q: Analyze the significance of the swan imagery in the poem.

   A: The swan symbolizes Yeats himself, representing:

      - The power and grace of his poetry

      - The transcendent nature of his work

      - His Irish identity

      - The enduring legacy of his art

      - The contrast between "cold and passionate" in his work

2. Q: Discuss how Smith uses natural imagery to represent Yeats' poetic legacy.

   A: Smith uses natural imagery to represent Yeats' legacy through:

      - The flowering thorn tree symbolizing enduring creativity

      - The revived stream suggesting renewed inspiration

      - The swan's flight representing the far-reaching impact of Yeats' work

      - The "cold and passionate song" echoing the nature of Yeats' poetry

      - The eternal flight over Galway symbolizing the lasting influence of his work

3. Q: Explain how the poem's structure contributes to its meaning.

   A: The poem's structure contributes to its meaning by:

      - Beginning with images of death and winter, then transitioning to renewal

      - Using increasingly dynamic verbs (from "torn" to "leaps" and "flying")

      - Expanding geographical scope, from a single tree to Europe and Ireland

      - Ending with an image of eternity, suggesting Yeats' lasting legacy

      - Using irregular stanza lengths to mirror the unpredictable nature of artistic influence

4. Q: Discuss the transformation of imagery from the first to the last stanza.

   A: The imagery transforms from death to renewal:

      - Starting with a dry stream and torn tree, symbolizing death

      - Progressing to a flowing stream and flowering tree

      - Moving from a static scene to dynamic flight

      - Shifting from a localized setting to a vast, eternal landscape

      - Evolving from silence to song, representing the enduring voice of poetry

5. Q: Analyze the use of contrasting elements in the poem.

   A: Smith employs various contrasts to create depth:

      - Winter imagery against sudden flowering

      - The swan's fragility against its "ancestralled energy"

      - Geographical contrasts (mountain top vs. shore)

      - Temporal contrasts (momentary vs. eternal)

      - Emotional contrasts ("cold and passionate")

III. Essay Question:

Q: Analyze how A.J.M. Smith uses imagery, symbolism, and allusion in "Ode on the Death of William Butler Yeats" to commemorate Yeats and explore the theme of poetic immortality.

Let's begin with an introduction:

A.J.M. Smith's "Ode on the Death of William Butler Yeats" is a masterful elegy that not only mourns the loss of a great poet but also celebrates the enduring power of his art. Through carefully crafted imagery, rich symbolism, and subtle allusions, Smith explores the theme of poetic immortality, suggesting that while the poet may die, his work continues to live and influence.

I. Imagery of Death and Renewal

Smith begins with imagery of winter and death:

- The "old thorn tree in a stony place" symbolizes Yeats in death

- The dry stream and "icicle-sharp" sky create a barren landscape

This imagery then transforms:

- The tree "bursts into sudden flower"

- The stream "pushes papery leaves" and flows again

This transformation symbolizes how Yeats' work continues to flourish and inspire even after his death.

II. Symbolism of the Swan

The central symbol of the swan is rich with meaning:

- It alludes to Yeats' own use of swan imagery in his poetry

- Its flight represents the far-reaching impact of Yeats' work

- Its "cold and passionate song" echoes the nature of Yeats' poetry

The swan's eternal flight in the final stanza powerfully symbolizes the immortality of Yeats' artistic legacy.

III. Geographical Allusions

Smith uses specific geographical references to tie the poem to Yeats' life and work:

- Ben Bulben, a mountain in Ireland featured in Yeats' poetry

- The Galway shore, representing Yeats' Irish heritage

- References to Europe and Kent, suggesting Yeats' broad influence

These allusions ground the poem in Yeats' personal geography while also emphasizing the universal reach of his work.

IV. Contrast Between Mortality and Immortality

Throughout the poem, Smith juxtaposes images of death with those of enduring life:

- The "first-last hour" of the swan contrasts with its eternal flight

- The momentary burst of flowers becomes "a glory not for an hour"

- The "cold and passionate" nature of the song suggests both death and vibrant life

These contrasts underscore the poem's central theme: while the poet is mortal, his art is immortal.

V. Stylistic Homage

Smith's use of rich, symbolic imagery and his focus on the transformative power of art can be seen as a stylistic tribute to Yeats himself. The poem's structure, with its irregular stanza lengths and mix of concrete and abstract imagery, mirrors some of Yeats' own poetic techniques.

Conclusion:

Through his masterful use of imagery, symbolism, and allusion, A.J.M. Smith creates a poem that is both an elegy for Yeats and a celebration of the immortal nature of great art. The transformation from winter to spring, from death to renewed life, and from silence to song all serve to reinforce the central idea that while poets may die, their words live on. In this way, Smith not only commemorates Yeats but also affirms the enduring power and importance of poetry itself.