To an Athlete Dying Young is a poem filled with many different elements that A.E Housman was able to spin into a telling of both sorrow and a kind of awkwarning in light of a death of a young star runner. The different literary elements made this poem come alive and made the connections more relevant for modern time. Starting with the persona of the story, this story is told in first person but with second person elements, a rarely used point of view due its difficulty in maintaining for a long period of time. A.E is talking to the late athlete in this story addressing him as “you” while you as the reader can also feel the connection being told as well. Kind of like if A.E was discussing this subject with you the reader and this helps a lot with the theme by setting the story in a more personal way, making you as an audience member …show more content…
“Eyes the shady night has shut, Cannot see the record cut…” (13-14) This is a metaphor (and also a form of personification because the night cannot shut its eyes) for death seeing as when you close your eyes, you can’t see what’s in front of you. Houseman is trying to say that since the young athlete has passed, he cannot see his record cut and see the new cheers be directed towards someone else. Another metaphor is “Today, the road all runners come…” (5) meaning the path everyone takes or in Houseman’s view, the athlete's new home - the road to the cemetery. A simile that stuck out to me was “And early though the laurel grows, It withers quicker than the rose.” (12) This was written to explain how fast a rose dies in relation to the athlete's career. Like a young star in their prime, they become very big and bright, everyone is enchanted by them, but just as quick as the rose bloomed, it withers and shrivels up, just like the career and the victory the star would have once had if he had made it that
The timeline carries on chronologically, the intense imagery exaggerated to allow the poem to mimic childlike mannerisms. This, subjectively, lets the reader experience the adventure through the young speaker’s eyes. The personification of “sunset”, (5) “shutters”, (8) “shadows”, (19) and “lamplights” (10) makes the world appear alive and allows nothing to be a passing detail, very akin to a child’s imagination. The sunset, alive as it may seem, ordinarily depicts a euphemism for death, similar to the image of the “shutters closing like the eyelids”
The speakers in the A. E. Housman poem “To an Athlete Dying Young” and the Edward Arlington Robinson poem “Richard Cory” serve different purposes but use irony and rhyme to help convey their message. In “To an Athlete Dying Young” the speaker’s purpose is to show the audience that dying young with glory is more memorable than dying old with glory. In “Richard Cory” the speaker’s purpose is to show the audience “you can’t judge a book by its cover.” In the poem “To an Athlete Dying Young” the author uses rhyme to show the reader how the glory of the runner came and went in a dramatic way. By having rhyme in “To an Athlete Dying Young” it allows the irony in the poem and the meaning that poet A. E. Housman is trying to convey, to really stick with the readers.
Thomas Paine once said “The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.” Conflict is an obstacle that many characters in books go through. It is what drives the reader to continue reading and make the book enjoyable. Additionally, authors use symbolism to connect their novels to real life, personal experience, or even a life lesson. In “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee and “A Lesson Before Dying” by Ernest J. Gaines, both take place during a time where colored people were being looked down upon and not treated with the same rights as white people. However, both novels portray the conflict and symbolism many ways that are similar and different. Additionally, both of these novels have many similarities and differences that connect as well as differentiate them to one
“As I Lay Dying, read as the dramatic confrontation of words and actions, presents Faulkner’s allegory of the limits of talent” (Jacobi). William Faulkner uses many different themes that make this novel a great book. Faulkner shows his talent by uses different scenarios, which makes the book not only comedic but informational on the human mind. As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner is a great book that illustrates great themes and examples. Faulkner illustrates different character and theme dynamics throughout the entire novel, which makes the book a humorous yet emotional roller coaster. Faulkner illustrates the sense of identity, alienation, and the results of physical and mental death to show what he thinks of the human mind.
The speaker addresses three advantages to dying young in To an Athlete Dying Young, by A. E. Houseman, these are an athlete’s glory fading, records broken, and being forgotten. After the athlete’s death, the speaker states that the athlete was right to leave “fields where glory does not stay” (10). Moreover, the speaker implies that the athlete is lucky because he will never live to see the glory of his achievements fade away. Similarly, following the athlete’s burial the speaker states that the athlete “Cannot see the record cut” (14). Furthermore, the speaker implies that an early death is to the athlete’s advantage because he will never see his records and achievements beaten by another athlete. Lastly, the speaker states that the athlete
Both poems have a propitious view of the theme of death. In “To An Athlete Dying Young” Houseman praises the young athlete for dying relatively young. He says “smart lad…not stay (9-10).” Houseman tells the athlete that he was smart to die at a young age because he can no longer witness his glory fade away as he gets older. His interpretation of death is very ironic. Many people consider it a tragedy when an athlete dies young because the athlete cannot further his career anymore, but Houseman argues that an athlete should not further his career because once he is old, he is a shell of his former self. By taking his life during a young age, the athlete gave himself eternal life in people’s mind. Moreover, in “Crossing The Bar”, Tennyson describes death as something people should not fear. Tennyson k...
A fundamental element of any story is the perspective of the narrator. It guides the point of view from which readers perceive and understand a story and greatly affects how a story is presented. As such, the perspective is crucial in determining how engaging a story is. First person narration, a narrative perspective in which the story is told first hand, has proven highly effective in making a story more compelling to read. Recently, it has become very popular in young adult fiction, as it can allow, when well-executed, for the reader to be better immersed in the story, increased suspense, and insightful reflection on the significance of events taking place. In Claire Battershill’s Circus short story Two Man Luge, first person narration is
Housman tells the athlete to take his fame to his grave with him so he can now always be remembered for his great performance and no one else could top him. “There is no clear definition of time or space in the poem. It could take place at any time in ancient or recent history and in any country, and therefore, the theme is universal” (Overview: “To an Athlete Dying Young”). Some critics think that this is the only time in his life that he was congratulated for a positive accomplishment, but we’re not sure how old this athlete is or where/when this poem occurs. Then all of a sudden those accomplishments go away and mean nothing anymore because now the athlete has died young, but that is not the
Using second person point of view causes emotional impact on readers more than using other kinds of narration. The pronoun draws readers sinking into the story; and let
The story was told by third person point of view who reveals about the main character Neddy. The story had covered the main character thoughts and see his actions throughout the story. Also, the author was telling the story as someone was observing Neddy’s journey. It had shown the reactions of his friends and neighbors as he travels through their pools. “Neddy asks for a drink when he gets to Helen and Eric Sachsen’ pool, but Helen says they haven’t been drinking since Eric had an operation three years ago. Neddy has no recollection that Eric had been sick.” His feelings changes as he continuing his journey.
It is obvious to the reader that the speaker and the young athlete have a very close and personal relationship. The speaker describes the athlete as someone he admires. He speaks directly to the athlete congratulating him for dying at top of his game. In the first stanza, the speaker reminds the athlete of the time not too long ago when the young athlete won a race and was carried and celebrated in by the people in his town. Housman uses this to compare it to the present time as the town once again carries the athlete on their shoulders, but now his dead and is being taken to the cemetery. Housman here is saying to the athlete that even though he is now dead, he is still being honored by his people and will be remembered for his accomplishments and for bringing home victory. The speaker also says Now you will not swell the
Taffler, a character of Timothy Findley's book, The Wars, is a multi-decorated soldier who many people, such as his fellow soldier and the country he fights for, sees him a hero. On the other hand, the poem A.E Housman created "To an Athlete Dying Young" talks about an athlete who died young and offers a different perspective on dying. According to the speaker of the poem, the athlete is “a smart lad” for dying while being in the spotlight (9). The definition of heroism is when a person shows bravery. However, bravery is not the only characteristics of heroism but also doing acts that are helpful and inspire people. Aspects of heroism found on, "To an Athlete Dying Young" applies Taffler, in various ways, such as the requirement for an individual
Sports can help many at- risk youths. In order to participate in sports you need to be committed and willing to work hard. You also have to learn to respect others and accept that winning isn’t the only measure of success. Losing can build character as well. When youth participate in a sports they enjoy, they are less likely to engage in behaviors that are harmful or dangerous to themselves and others. It is for these reasons schools should strive to maintain athletic programs for their students.
Sports psychology is the study of how psychology influences sports, athletic performance, exercise and physical activity. Some sports psychologists work with professional athletes and coaches to improve performance and increase motivation. Other professionals use exercise and sports to enhance people’s lives and well-being. While finding ways to help athletes is certainly an important part of sports psychology, the application of exercise and physical activity for improving the lives of non-athletes is also a major focus.
Sport, according to the oxford dictionary, can be defined as an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment. Sport may seem like just another, simple five letter word yet it has the power and aptitude to teach humanity such fundamental and intellectual life lessons. In my speech I will explore these vital lessons, such as failure, success, perseverance, teamwork, tolerance, responsibility and discipline by exhibiting how each lesson can be learnt and utilised.