What is the main message of An Irish Airman Foresees His Death?
The poem, which, like flying, emphasizes balance, essentially enacts a kind of accounting, whereby the airman lists every factor weighing upon his situation and his vision of death, and rejects every possible factor he believes to be false: he does not hate or love his enemies or his allies, his country will neither be …
How is the idea of death treated in the poem An Irish Airman Foresees His Death?
The speaker balances life and death by comparing them both to a “waste of breath.” This brings back the idea of air as life, but it is labelled a waste. By equating life and death, the speaker enables himself to accept his death.
What is the central idea of the poem An Irish Airman Foresees His Death by WB Yeats describe the style and language employed by the poet?
This poem is about an Irish pilot fighting in the war and anticipating his imminent death. He is prepared to die after reflecting on his life. He realises that it has been a waste of time. This is reflected in the line, “A waste of breath the years behind / In balance with this life, this death.” (Yeats).
What is the mood of An Irish Airman Foresees His Death?
It conveys a sense of apathy towards the war. He seems very sure of his thoughts and expresses his indifference towards those nations that are fighting. His tone is detached.
What kind of poem is an Irish Airman Foresees his Death?
elegy
Because the poem was written in memory of a real Irish fighter pilot who died during World War I, Major Robert Gregory, it is often considered an elegy—one of several Yeats wrote for the young pilot. However, it breaks with many of the traditions of the elegy as a genre.
What does the Irish Airman think of his country and countrymen?
He says his country is “Kiltartan Cross” and that his countrymen are the poor people of Kiltartan. In other words, he feels more Kiltartan than he does Irish.
Who is the speaker of the poem An Irish Airman Foresees His Death?
The speaker of “An Irish Airman Foresees His Death” is an Irish fighter pilot in World War I. The poem is based on the life and death of a real pilot, Major Robert Gregory, who flew with the British Air Force and died during World War I.
What compelled the Irish Airman to become the pilot?
It was not simply a case of siding with the ‘good guys’ versus the ‘bad guys’ for him; rather, Yeats makes clear that “A lonely impulse of delight” was the reason the man decided to become a pilot. Adrenaline, not “law,” “duty,” or “cheering” crowds” compelled Robert.
What does kiltartan cross mean?
As you’ve maybe guessed, Kiltartan Cross is a place in Ireland. In fact, it is the name of a barony in western Ireland (a barony is kind of like a county, but smaller). In other words, he feels more Kiltartan than he does Irish. The local is more important to him than the national.
What kind of poem is An Irish Airman Foresees His Death?
Why does the Irish Airman go to war?
But he isn’t motivated by a love of country or a desire to protect his fellow citizens, and nor does he risk his life to win honor or glory. Instead, the speaker flies into battle because he feels like the sheer pleasure and exhilaration of flying are the best that he can hope for in his life.
What is the meaning of kiltartan?
The castle in turn takes its name from the medieval church of Kiltartan a short distance to the north. The original Irish name for the church and parish was Cill Athrachta (church of St. Attracta) which was corrupted to Cill Tortain. The older anglicised form was Kiltaraght which is closer to the original Irish form.