Task: 1 “When You Are Old” is a poem of contrasts. Substantiate.
Task -2 How is the concept of love, rejection and time highlighted through the poem? Site evidence from the poem.
Task: 3 How do the literary devices in the poem contribute in showcasing the theme of the poem?
Task:4 ‘ When You are Old’ makes the ‘beloved’ look back on her youth . Explain
Task 5: How is the journey from youth to old age described in the poem?
Questions from when you're old please do fast
Answers
Explanation:
in the 2nd stanza it is highhlighted
Explanation:
'When You Are Old' was written to show the true and unforgettable love from the poet. The theme is a painful one of unrequited love which the poet handles in an interesting manner. The poet looks only to his future in which the two people in the poem are destined to be forever apart. The poet visualizes an unreal condition that the lady he loved became old and felt regret for refusing his true love. There are many contrasts which consist of elegant and quiet words to depict the theme. In first stanza,there is a contrast between her elegant youth and her depressing old age. In second stanza, there is a contrast between her many suitors who professed superficial love and the speaker who promises true love for her. In third stanza, there is a contrast between the transient love represented by many suitors and the personified love of the poet. There is a contrast between the ‘sorrows of your changing face’ of stanza 2 and ‘murmur a little sadly’ of stanza 3. there is also a contrast between the beauty and elegance without seeking her soul after the suitors and the pilgrim soul in the same lady cherished by the poet. The many suitors who wanted to court her, were fascinated by her physical beauty while the speaker was attracted by her pilgrim soul, which represents her inner self. These contrasts serve to build a strong argument to persuade the young lady not to ignore him now and regret later.