These key words reflect the poem’s themes of aging, memory, love, and loss.
| 1. Old | 11. Beauty |
| 2. Gray | 12. Love |
| 3. Full of sleep | 13. Pilgrim soul |
| 4. Nodding | 14. Sorrows |
| 5. Fire | 15. Changing face |
| 6. Book | 16. Glowing bars |
| 7. Dream | 17. Love fled |
| 8. Soft look | 18. Mountains |
| 9. Shadows | 19. Stars |
| 10. Grace | 20. Murmur |
KEY CONCEPTS
themes of love, loss, memory, and the bittersweet nature of life’s fleeting moments.
- Aging and Mortality: The speaker imagines the subject in old age, reflecting on the passage of time and the inevitability of growing old.
- Reflection on Youth: The subject is urged to look back on their younger days, when they were admired for their beauty and grace.
- Love and Devotion: The poem contrasts superficial love based on external beauty with a deeper, more enduring love for the “pilgrim soul”—the inner self and spirit.
- The Pilgrim Soul: The idea of a journeying or seeking soul, suggesting the person’s inner qualities and emotional depth, is central to the poem’s theme of true love.
- Loss of Love: Love is depicted as having fled or become distant, symbolized by its retreat to the mountains and hiding among the stars.
- Regret and Melancholy: The speaker subtly implies that the subject might regret not fully valuing the deeper love they once received, leading to a tone of sorrow in old age.
- Nature and the Cosmic: The imagery of mountains and stars symbolizes vast, unreachable spaces, possibly representing love’s transcendence or the unreachable past.
METAPHORS
- “Full of sleep” – A metaphor for old age, suggesting weariness and the approach of death.
- “Pilgrim soul” – A metaphor for the inner self, suggesting a journey of the spirit or a search for meaning beyond physical beauty.
- “Love fled” – A metaphor for lost or distant love, implying that love has retreated or is no longer present.
- “Hid his face amid a crowd of stars” – Love is personified as something cosmic and distant, hiding among the stars, symbolizing its elusiveness and unattainability.
IMAGERIES
- “Gray and full of sleep” – Visual and tactile imagery of old age, evoking a sense of tiredness and decline.
- “Nodding by the fire” – Visual and kinetic imagery, creating a cosy yet melancholic picture of someone resting beside a fire, emphasizing the passage of time.
- “Take down this book” – Visual imagery that invites the reader to imagine physically handling a book, symbolizing the act of reflection.
- “Soft look” and “shadows deep” – Visual imagery referring to the subject’s youthful beauty, suggesting both light and depth, representing their emotional and spiritual layers.
- “Glowing bars” – Visual imagery of the fire, which symbolizes warmth and life, but also hints at the passage of time and the eventual fading of vitality.
- “Mountains overhead” – Visual imagery suggesting vast, unreachable places, symbolizing love’s transcendence or distance.
- “A crowd of stars” – Cosmic imagery, evoking a sense of distance, vastness, and something beyond human reach, often symbolizing fate or lost opportunities.
- Answer the following questions in one or two sentences each. (2 Marks Questions)
- What does the speaker suggest you should do when you are old and tired?
Answer: The speaker suggests that when you are old and tired, you should take down a book, read it slowly, and think about how your eyes and their expressions used to be when you were younger.
- How does the poem describe the love that the speaker is talking about?
Answer: The poem describes this love as special because it is not just about physical beauty but about truly understanding and caring for the person’s inner self and their feelings.
- What does the speaker mean when they say “Love fled and paced upon the mountains overhead”?
Answer: The speaker means that love has gone away and is now distant and hard to reach, symbolized by the mountains and stars, suggesting that it is no longer close or easy to find.
- What is the speaker asking the reader to do with the book when they are old?
Answer: The speaker is asking the reader to take down the book, read it slowly, and remember how they looked when they were younger.
- What does the speaker mean by “the pilgrim soul” in the poem?
Answer: “The pilgrim soul” refers to the inner self or spirit that goes on a journey through life, showing that true love values a person’s deeper feelings and character.
- How does the poem describe the way others have loved the subject of the poem? Answer: The poem describes that many people loved the subject for their beauty or happiness, but only one person loved them for their true inner self and emotional depth.
- What image does the poem use to show that love has become distant and hard to reach?
Answer: The poem uses the image of love hiding “amid a crowd of stars” to show that love has become distant and is now far away, symbolizing its inaccessibility.
- How can understanding the emotions described in the poem help you appreciate the true value of someone’s love?
Answer: Understanding the emotions in the poem helps you see that true love is not just about physical appearance but also about appreciating and caring for a person’s inner self and feelings, which is more meaningful and lasting.
- Answer the following questions in about 60 words each (3 Marks)
- In the poem, what does the speaker suggest you should do when you are old and sitting by the fire?
Answer: The speaker suggests that when you are old and sitting by the fire, you should take down a book, read it slowly, and think about how you looked and felt when you were younger, remembering your past self.
- What is meant by “the pilgrim soul” in the poem, and why is it important?
Answer: “The pilgrim soul” refers to the inner self or spirit that goes through life’s journey. It is important because the poem shows that true love values this inner self and the person’s emotions, not just their outer appearance.
- How does the poem describe the difference between the love of many people and the love of one special person?
Answer: The poem describes that many people may love the subject for their looks or happiness, but only one special person truly loves their inner self and the emotions they experience, showing a deeper and more meaningful kind of love.
- What does the poem suggest about the nature of love through the image of love hiding among stars?
Answer: The poem suggests that love can sometimes seem distant or hard to reach, symbolized by it hiding among stars. This shows that true love might not always be easy to see or grasp, but it remains important and valuable.
- What is the significance of the image of love hiding among stars in the poem?
Answer: The image of love hiding among stars signifies that love has become distant and difficult to find, suggesting that it is no longer close or easily accessible, but it still holds a special, mysterious value.
- How does the poem use the idea of “glowing bars” to help you understand the setting? Answer: The poem uses “glowing bars” to describe the warm and comforting fire, setting a cosy scene where the speaker imagines being old and reflecting on past memories, highlighting the contrast between warmth and the distant past.
- How does the poem’s description of love as something that hides among stars help you understand its meaning?
Answer: The poem’s description of love hiding among stars helps you understand that love can sometimes feel far away or difficult to grasp. It teaches that even though love may seem distant, it still has great value and significance.
- Answer the following questions in about 100 words each (4 Marks)
- In When You Are Old, how does Yeats use the imagery of aging and reflection to convey his message about love and beauty?
Answer: Yeats uses the imagery of aging and reflection to highlight the contrast between superficial and profound love. By imagining someone old and tired, reading a book and reflecting on their past, Yeats underscores how true love appreciates more than just physical beauty. The poem suggests that, in old age, one should recognize and value the deeper, inner qualities that true love cherishes—qualities that transcend temporary physical appearances and are often overlooked.
- How does the poem’s portrayal of the “pilgrim soul” contribute to its overall theme about the nature of genuine love?
Answer: The portrayal of the “pilgrim soul” in the poem contributes to its theme by emphasizing that genuine love is not limited to physical attributes or fleeting moments of happiness. Instead, it focuses on appreciating and understanding a person’s inner self, which endures beyond external changes. This concept reinforces the idea that true love values and connects with the deep, spiritual journey of a person’s life, rather than merely their external qualities.
- What does the imagery of “love fled” and “pacing upon the mountains overhead” reveal about the speaker’s view on the nature of love?
Answer: The imagery of “love fled” and “pacing upon the mountains overhead” reveals the speaker’s view that love can become distant and elusive over time. By depicting love as having retreated to an unreachable place, the poem suggests that genuine love might not always be immediately accessible or visible but remains a profound and valuable experience. This imagery reflects the transient nature of physical beauty and the enduring, though sometimes distant, essence of true love.
- In what ways does the poem’s reflection on past love encourage readers to think about their own relationships and experiences?
Answer: The poem encourages readers to reflect on their own relationships by contrasting fleeting physical attraction with deeper, lasting emotional connections. It prompts readers to consider how they value others in their lives, urging them to appreciate the inner qualities and personal journeys of those they love. By emphasizing that true love transcends physical appearances and is rooted in understanding and empathy, the poem inspires readers to cultivate more meaningful and enduring relationships.
(FROM QUESTION BANK)
II. Answer the following questions in one or two sentences each. (2 Marks Questions)
- When according to the speaker in ‘When You Are Old’ will the lady be ‘gray and full of sleep’?
Answer: The lady will be ‘gray and full of sleep’ when she is old and nearing the end of her life.
- Who according to the speaker in ‘When You Are Old’ will be ‘nodding by the fire’? Answer: The speaker imagines the lady, now old, ‘nodding by the fire’ as she reflects on her past.
- What does the speaker in ‘When You Are Old’ want his beloved to do sitting by the fire? Answer: The speaker wants his beloved to take down the book, read it slowly, and dream about how her eyes and their shadows looked when she was younger.
- What does the speaker in ‘When You Are Old’ suggest to his beloved to dream of?
Answer: The speaker suggests that his beloved should dream of the ‘soft look’ her eyes had in the past and of the shadows that were deep in them.
- According to the speaker in ‘When You Are Old’, what did many admire the lady for? Answer: Many admired the lady for her physical beauty and moments of grace.
- Who according to the speaker in ‘When You Are Old’ loved the beloved’s pilgrim soul? Answer: According to the speaker, he himself loved the beloved’s pilgrim soul.
- Whose pilgrim soul did the speaker in ‘When You Are Old’ love? Answer: The speaker loved his own beloved’s pilgrim soul.
- What did the speaker in ‘When You Are Old’ love besides the pilgrim soul?
Answer: Besides the pilgrim soul, the speaker loved the sorrows of the beloved’s changing face.
- Who according to the speaker in ‘When You Are Old’ fled and hid his face? Answer: According to the speaker, Love fled and hid his face.
- Where according to the speaker in ‘When You Are Old’ did love pace upon? Answer: According to the speaker, Love paced upon the mountains overhead.
- What according to the speaker in ‘When You Are Old’ did love hide amid a crowd of stars?
Answer: According to the speaker, Love hid his face amid a crowd of stars.
- Where according to the speaker in ‘When You Are Old’ did love hide his face?
Answer: According to the speaker, Love hid his face among the stars, which symbolize the vast and unreachable aspects of love.
IV. Answer the following questions in about 100 words each (4 Marks)
- What does the speaker in ‘When You Are Old’ suggest to his beloved to reflect upon? Answer: In the poem When You Are Old, the speaker suggests that his beloved should reflect upon her past as she grows old. He advises her to take down a book, read it slowly, and remember the soft look of her eyes and the deep shadows they once held. This reflection should also include recognizing how many people admired her for her physical beauty and joyful moments. Importantly, the speaker wants her to remember that only one person—him—truly loved her for her inner self and the sorrows that came with her changing face. This reflection is meant to highlight the enduring value of true love over superficial admiration.
- How does the speaker contrast his love with that of many others in ‘When You Are Old’? Answer: The speaker contrasts his love with that of many others by emphasizing the difference between superficial admiration and deep, enduring affection. Many people loved the beloved for her physical beauty and her moments of happiness. In contrast, the speaker’s love was unique because it was not based on her external appearance but on her inner self—the “pilgrim soul”—and the emotional depth she experienced. He loved not only her enduring inner qualities but also the sorrows of her changing face. This contrast highlights the depth and authenticity of his love compared to the more transient and superficial affections of others.
- How does the poem ‘When You Are Old’ distinguish the speaker’s love from that of others?
Answer: The poem distinguishes the speaker’s love from that of others by focusing on the inner qualities and emotional experiences rather than physical attributes. While many people loved the beloved for her external beauty and joyful moments, the speaker’s love was rooted in a deeper understanding of her true self. He valued her “pilgrim soul”—her inner journey and emotional depth—over her physical appearance. The speaker’s love is portrayed as enduring and profound, appreciating the beloved’s inner essence and the complexities of her life, which sets it apart from the more superficial love of others who admired her beauty alone.
- ‘When You Are Old’ brings out the transient nature of beauty and permanence of love. Explain.
Answer: In When You Are Old, Yeats explores the contrast between the fleeting nature of physical beauty and the enduring nature of true love. The poem reflects on how physical beauty fades with age, as represented by the imagery of growing old and becoming “gray and full of sleep.” This transient quality of beauty is contrasted with the speaker’s love, which is depicted as enduring and deeply rooted in the beloved’s inner self. The speaker’s love is not based on her physical appearance but on her true essence and emotional experiences. The poem suggests that while external beauty is temporary, true love, which appreciates and values a person’s inner qualities and experiences, remains constant and significant, transcending the changes that come with time.
- ‘When You Are Old’ makes the ‘beloved’ look back on her youth. Discuss.
Answer: In When You Are Old, the speaker encourages the beloved to look back on her youth as she grows old. He suggests that when she is gray and tired, she should take down a book and slowly read it while reflecting on her past. The poem highlights the contrast between her youthful appearance and her current state, prompting her to remember the way her eyes once looked and how many people admired her beauty. This reflection serves to emphasize the fleeting nature of physical beauty and the lasting significance of true love, which the speaker had for her inner self and emotional depth.
- The speaker in ‘When You Are Old’ is not addressing an old lady. Explain.
Answer: The speaker in When You Are Old is indeed addressing an old lady, but the poem’s message is meant to reflect on the beloved’s past from the perspective of her old age. Although the speaker addresses her as an elderly woman who is reflecting on her past, the purpose is to convey the enduring nature of true love and the contrast between superficial admiration and genuine affection. The poem uses this future perspective to highlight how, despite the passage of time and changes in physical appearance, the deeper, more meaningful aspects of love remain significant. Whose love in ‘When You Are Old’ is immortal? How does the poem present this? Answer: In When You Are Old, the speaker’s love is presented as immortal. The poem conveys this through the contrast between the fleeting nature of physical beauty and the enduring quality of true love. While many admired the beloved for her external beauty and joyful moments, the speaker’s love is described as profound and lasting because it appreciates her inner self and emotional experiences. The poem highlights that while physical beauty fades with time, the speaker’s love, which values the beloved’s inner qualities and life’s journey, remains constant and enduring. This idea is emphasized by the speaker’s reflection on how only he truly loved her for who she was on the inside, beyond her physi