What is Symbol ?

Symbol is anything maybe a person, object, event or concept that represents a deeper often abstract meaning beyond its literal sense. Symbols are used to convey complex ideas, themes or emotions in a more nuanced and layered manner. In simple terms, symbol stands for something larger than themselves. If often carry multiple layers of meaning and can be interpreted in a different ways. There are two types of symbols I.e. “Public Symbol” and “Private Symbol”. “Public symbol” is a symbol whose meaning is universal across culture and society. For example: In literature, a “rose” often is not only a flower but it also symbolizes “Romantic Love”. On the other hand, “Private Symbol” is a symbol whose meaning is not universal across culture and society. It acquires a specific meaning based on how it relates to the content of a particular work or a mind of a particular author. Unlike, “Public symbol” which are widely recognized and understood across a culture, “Private Symbol” are more personal or obscure and their meaning may not be immediately apparent to all the readers. For example: A pair of the Billboard in the Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald, has no universal meaning but within the story it symbolizes the eyes of the God watching humanity. William Butler Yeats also known as ‘W B Yeats’ is regarded as one of the most important representative symbolist of the twentieth century. Yeats uses rich Symbolism to add layers to meaning in his work. Some of the notable works of Yeats are ‘ Sailing to Byzantium’, ‘ Circus Desertion’ , ‘ The Lake Isle of Innisfree’ , ‘ When you are old ‘ and many more.

We will be going to analyze the symbolism in ‘When You Are Old” by W. B Yeats.

When You Are Old By W B Yeats

Introduction to William Butler Yeats:

William Butler Yeats, widely known as W B Yeats was an Irish poet, dramatist and writer. He is considered to be one of the foremost figures of 20th century literature. Yeats is renowned for his use of rich symbolism to express complex ideas and emotions, making him earn the title of ‘ Symbolic Poet. ’ Although his early work was influenced by Romanticism, Yeats became a leading figure in the Modernist movement, blending traditional forms with innovative themes and techniques. In 1923, Yeats was awarded with the Noble Prize in literature, in recognition of his significant contributions to literature, particularly his poetic work. Besides being a poet, Yeats was also a significant playwright and co-founder of the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, played a pivotal role in the development of Irish drama.

Summary :

‘ When You Are Old ’ by W B Yeats is a poignant poem which was published in Yeats’s second collection, The Rose in 1893. The poem directly addresses to his beloved, most probably Maud Gonne, asking them to reflect on their youth and beauty in their old age. The poem imagines the beloved looking back at a time when they were young and loved by many. But, emphasizes that only one person truly loved them for their soul, not just their appearances. The speaker implies that this deep, spiritual love was not fully appreciated and now in old age, it’s too late to reclaim it. Thus, explores the theme of love and beauty, aging .

Analysis :

In the first stanza, Yeats refers to the natural aging process of the life. The speaker is addressing his beloved, asking her to think about future when she will be “old and grey”. The person growing old and their hair turning grey, highlights the stage of the Old Age, who is “ full of sleep ”, suggest a sense of drowsiness or a state of being close to rest. The description of the beloved as an elderly lady paints a mental image of the old person whose days are nearly over. This symbolizes the physical decline often associated with the theme of Aging. “ And nodding by the fire ”, evokes a cozy but solitary scene where an elderly person is sitting by a warm fire. This makes the readers to grasp the reality of the effects of aging which makes them realize that one day they will also become old and unable to stay awake by contrasting an elderly lady with the readers who will age. Thus, “ nodding by the fire ”, symbolizes a peaceful yet lonely stage of the life.

The second stanza, explores the theme of Love by contrasting superficial love which is merely based on physical appearances, on the contrary the true love which is deeper and enduring, one who love the soul of a person and not the body. Yeats highlights that unlike many, one person loved the pilgrim soul, by referring to himself. “And loved the deep sorrows of your changing face”, suggests that while the physical beauty fades, true love endures and appreciates the person’s changing face, evolved over a period of time as the person ages. This examines the theme of passage of time, and aging. “Changing face” refers to the natural process of aging and a physical transformation. It suggests the loss of youthful beauty which allows the reader to focus on the emotional aspect of the poem. The “pilgrim soul”, symbolizes the beloved inner self which is beyond the physical appearance.

Towards the end, the poem changes to melancholic tone where the beloved imagines to be reflecting on the past, mourning the loss of love, shedding light on the departure of his beloved by exploring the key theme of the poem, the fleeting nature of love. The “mountains” symbolizes the distance and elevation which suggest that the beloved who was close to the heart, has now become distant and unreachable. The “star” symbolizes the eternal and infinite love that transcends the physical world and become distant or even divine. This evokes a sense of loss and separation, thereby exploring the theme of Loss, Nature of the true love, Aging.

In ‘When You Are Old’, there is a sense of yearning for the love and beauty of the past which cannot be recaptured in Old age. Poem expresses a desire to escape the gradual deterioration caused by aging. Poem also have reflection of Yeats life, his concerns about aging and the search for meaning beyond the physical world, by exploring the theme of love, loss, time and the human desire for something eternal. Thus, considered to be a renowned poem which has great influence on readers mind about the Inevitable process of the life I.e. Aging.

-- Vishwa Patadia