The athlete is again being held, "shoulder-high" but not in a positive, cheerful way this time. After the sudden turn from images of happy, celebrated life in the first stanza to one of death in the second Houseman starts his third stanza with an argument. In this argument, Houseman communicates a widely traditional idea about growing older; any glory or fame associated with something physical like athleticism fades with age. Making the runner in "To an Athlete Dying Young" lucky because he will not have to experience
This act of sending the dying words of the loved one was imperative to the family that was left behind. It provided hope to the family that their son did have a ‘good death’ and has peacefully entered the eternal life. Most of the letters were fabricated for the sake of the family’s curiosity and
Remembering Ones Youth Throughout the poem “To an Athlete Dying Young” tones of remembrance and courage are shown as the narrator expresses his theory that to be lost is the best way to be rejoiced. Feeling the success and congratulations of a momentary triumph is like receiving a sample of a unique flavor that you would like to savor, but are only allowed a quick taste. While a life of gratitude and honor will give one full satisfaction. The detail of this poem serves a purpose in explaining that the average human loses sight of exciting accomplishments as they look for new and invigorating events every day. On the other hand when a devastating occurrence comes about, people feel the need to morn and give their condolences.
“To an Athlete Dying Young” by A.E. Housman is quite an unusual poem. It speaks of premature death with a celebratory tone, reserving any melancholy sentiment for the speaker, who presumably has lived a long and full life. The young man in the poem is portrayed in his shining moment in the first stanza. He wins a race for his town, and is then carried through the streets “shoulder-high” by the speaker, among others.
It was not enough that one put down their life if one’s life was worthless. A man who has nothing to lose is not sacrificing anything, and so in early cultures sports became a way of bringing honor to that individual before dying. In the poem the young athlete is not sacrificed nor does he die of his own will at all. None the less Housman draws this comparison because the athlete did die close after his triumph and thus did die as a winner. Aside from the barbaric view of the ancients there are other reasons for dying young after an achievement can be prized.
James Plowman Mr. Lore 3/11/13 En102-05 Out in a Blaze of Glory Merriam-Webster defines an elegy as a mournful song or poem expressing sorrow, especially for one who has died. Although A. E. Housman's poem, "To an Athlete Dying Young," is categorized as an elegy, it is not done so aptly. Housman's poem, describes the glory found in the early death of a young athlete. Dying young and at the height of one's career is looked upon in this poem as celebratory, not sorrowful. The poem takes place at the funeral of a young champion runner who is loved and admired by those in his town.
Research Paper In life, everybody has memories and days that they would like to go back and re- experience. “To an Athlete Dying Young” by A.E Housman and “Ex-Basketball Player” by John Updike are two poems that speak about those unforgettable moments, former athletes, and fame. In A.E Housman’s “To an Athlete Dying Young”, a young famous runner dies and in John Updike’s “Ex-Basketball Player”, a famous basketball plater retires after his glory day’s end. Both poems focus on what happens to the athletes after their fateful moments of fame. However, the runner in “To an Athlete Dying Young” dies at a young age even though his fame does not: while in “Ex-Basketball Player” the ex- player’s fame washes away in his growing of age.
It says “Eyes the shady night has shut Cannot see the record cut”, which means that all the people will forget about the race the man won over night. This explains the title to me, this athlete will die young metaphorically because people will
Birth and death is just a cycle for us, to give and take our life, so it could be over. Death is not something we should fear because people will all die. When we are alive, we are not dead, yet when we are dead, we are not aware of anything. It’s a brief transition between life and death that death poses an issue. Death is the price citizens pay for the enjoyment of love between man and woman and also love between parent and child.
Analysis of To an Athlete Dying Young The poem To an Athlete Dying young by A. E. Housman is a commentary about the glory that an athlete receives from doing well. Housman claims that glory is fleeting, and can only last so long, and the only way that an athlete can capture the greatness forever is by dying during the time of his greatness. Doing so, he can live forever in the sense that he is remembered by people for the achievements he made. Through the use of quatrains, rhyme patterns, and the use of words, Houseman exemplifies the meaning of his poem throughout. The structure of the poem is one of the main features that Housman uses to make his poem effective, in which he splits the poem into seven different stanzas.