In Housman’s poem “To An Athlete Dying Young” the theme of the poem is victory, and glory as author begins the poem on a cheerful tone, and continuously leads back to glory, despite the young boy’s death. The speaker remembers when the athlete had won a big race, and the townspeople carried the athlete through the marketplace in celebration, bringing victory to the town. But not long after the tone becomes saddening, as the speaker then puts the reader at the young athlete’s funeral. But as the author mentions that the athlete never has to worry about his glory fading, and will always be remembered at his peak of glory, the tone then changes to be celebratory. In his poem, Housman pulls together figurative language, sound devices, and structure in order to prove the idea of the athletes fleeting glory.
“To an Athlete Dying young” In the poem “To an Athlete Dying Young” by A.E. Housman pg. 682 the author is very complex in telling the celebration of the runner winning the race. But drops simple hints in certain areas of the poem to make clear to the reader of what the poem is about. So the writer strategically places simple and complex details in the poem.
Some people claim Lewis’s death was suicide caused by depression. The
THE DEATH OF MERRIWEATHER LEWIS Merriweather Lewis was a national hero. He was governor of the Louisiana Territory, and was renowned by many for exploring the Louisiana Territory with Clark. Lewis was on his way to Washington to deliver possibly classified information, when he stopped at an inn. There were two gunshots heard, and Lewis was found dead, supposedly having committed suicide. But, this was only through the word of Priscilla Grinder, the only known witness of the event.
He received full military honors before a crowd of more than 3,000 people. Medgar Evers was 37 years old when he died. Evers was murdered by a member of the Ku Klux Klan. Bryon De La Beckwith was tried for the murder of Evers, but had gotten away. He lived his life until 1994 when the case came back and he was convicted.
Only a solemn man who brought him fruits Thanked him; and then enquired about his soul.”He knew people liked the idea of a hero as they cheered him when he went to war, but as he returned injured and hurt people didn't thank him or cheered him instead they didn't look at him . As he reminded others about war. In the final stanza we know that the boy is hurt a waiting to die.“Now, he will spend a few sick years in institutes, And do what things the rules consider wise, And take whatever pity they may dole.How cold and late it is! Why don't they come And put him into bed? Why don't they come?” When the soldier says “How cold and late it is!
This immediately assumes that the speaker is giving an explanation to an argument on death and why she could not stop. The speaker has no time for death as they are too busy living the life that they already have so Death, being the “kind” individual that he is, waits for her. This makes the poem seem more alive and active, unlike others who take on a more observant position. The civility that he shows causes her to give up on the things that has made her so busy- “And I had put away/My labor and my leisure too”- and enjoy the carriage ride that he takes her on. It is implied, to the reader, that the carriage holds just the two of them because of the capitalization of “Ourselves”, but this is quickly diminished in the fourth line by adding Immortality.
She appeals to figurative language throughout her poem by showing that she and many other black individuals aren’t ready to give up. Repetition is one of the ways the author approaches her message throughout the poem efficiently with the use of “I rise.” The poet constantly uses this line to represent her confidence and faith despite of all the hardships that she and other people have faced throughout their lives. She uses comparison with using devices such as simile and metaphor. One quote is “You may trod me in the very dirt, but still, like dust, I’ll rise” (3-4). This means that the author will rise from the dirtiness from the people that will talk down about her.
The mother will not allow her child to experience the cruelness the world has to offer, but as a young boy becomes a man he is free to be as “wild as wind” (Johnson). The poems explain that as a man gains more and more freedom it is easier for him to waste his life and give his “heart away” (Housman). It will not be long before he realizes that giving away his heart and living a life “made to wander” (Johnson) are actions of a foolish man. While coming of age is an exciting new chapter of life, it is important to make wise decisions so one will not encounter tough
Further along the poem the speaker mentions how her children should make the pain that she suffered in the past the “torch for tomorrow” (36). This simply implies that the narrators struggle was meaningful considering her children can build upon the efforts of their ancestors to win equality for African American in the future. The use of metaphors helps illustrate the struggles the narrator has been through and helps establish the community’s struggles. It also inspires the future generations to continue to fight for their