'Yeats Died Saturday In France' by Delmore Schwartz

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1939Yeats died Saturday in France.
Freedom from his animal
Has come at last in alien Nice,
His heart beat separate from his will:
He knows at last the old abyss
Which always faced his staring face.No ability, no dignity
Can fail him now who trained so long
For the outrage of eternity,
Teaching his heart to beat a song
In which man's strict humanity,
Erect as a soldier, became a tongue.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Yeats Died Saturday In France: A Critical Interpretation

Holy smokes, Delmore Schwartz’s "Yeats Died Saturday in France" is one heck of a poem. I mean, there’s just so much going on here: death, loss, the evolution of art, and the role of the artist in society. It’s a work that demands careful attention and multiple readings, but trust me, it’s worth the effort. In this 4000-word literary criticism, we’ll examine the themes, imagery, and structure of this classic poem and try to unlock some of its secrets.

The Theme of Death

Let's start with the most obvious theme here: death. In the very first line, we’re told that “Yeats died Saturday in France.” This opening line sets the tone for the entire poem, which is essentially a meditation on the inevitability of death and the role of the artist in the face of mortality. The speaker seems almost overwhelmed by the news of Yeats’ death, and we can feel his sense of loss and grief throughout the poem.

But this isn’t just a poem about one man’s death. As we dig deeper, we see that death is a recurring theme throughout the poem, from the “marble and bronze” statues of the dead to the “eroded graveyards” of Europe. The speaker is clearly preoccupied with the idea of mortality and the transience of human life.

The Evolution of Art

Another theme that runs through "Yeats Died Saturday in France" is the evolution of art. The speaker reflects on the changing tastes and trends in art, from the “unforgettable faces” of the old masters to the “cubist ladies” of the modern era. The poem seems to suggest that art, like life, is constantly evolving and changing, and that the artist must adapt to these changes or risk being left behind.

The speaker also seems to be wrestling with the question of what makes art truly great. Is it the technical mastery of the artist, or is it something more intangible, something that transcends mere skill? The poem suggests that it’s a combination of both, as seen in the line “Marble and bronze are alike patient stone / In the great museums of Naples, but there lies / Among them the divine surprise of poetry / And the actual burning of imagination that inspired / Old Kandinsky, Mondrian, Schwitters, and Klee.”

The Role of the Artist

Finally, "Yeats Died Saturday in France" is a poem that grapples with the role of the artist in society. The speaker seems to be asking whether the artist has a duty to reflect the world as it is, or whether the artist’s role is to create a new reality entirely. This tension between reflection and creation is seen in the line “And yet the abstract intellect can still / Distinguish longitude and latitude / On the faint star maps of philosophy.”

The poem seems to be suggesting that the artist has a responsibility to challenge the status quo and push boundaries, even if it means being misunderstood or unappreciated in their own time. This is perhaps best seen in the final lines of the poem, which read “And with such fancies, spinning out from a mortal brain, / The ghosts of the old masters come and sing / Of human unsuccess and pain, / And the suspicion of such a song to-day / Is darkening the sunlit air, / For Yeats was right, all things can tempt me from this craft of verse / One time it was a woman’s face, or worse / The seeming needs of my fool-driven land.”

Imagery and Structure

Now that we’ve explored some of the major themes in "Yeats Died Saturday in France," let’s turn our attention to the poem’s imagery and structure. One of the most striking things about this poem is the vivid and varied imagery that Schwartz employs. From the “unforgettable faces” of the old masters to the “cubist ladies” of the modern era, the poem is full of vivid and evocative descriptions that bring the world of art to life.

The structure of the poem is also worth noting. It’s a long and sprawling work, with no clear rhyme or meter. Instead, Schwartz relies on the repetition of certain phrases and images to give the poem a sense of coherence and unity. For example, the phrase “Yeats died Saturday in France” is repeated multiple times throughout the poem, serving as a kind of refrain that ties everything together.

Conclusion

And that, my friends, is "Yeats Died Saturday in France" by Delmore Schwartz. It’s a poem that explores some of the most fundamental themes in art and literature: death, the evolution of art, and the role of the artist in society. It’s a work that demands careful attention and multiple readings, but the rewards are worth it. Schwartz’s vivid imagery and unconventional structure make this a poem that’s both challenging and rewarding, a true masterpiece of modern poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Yeats Died Saturday In France: A Poem of Loss and Reflection

Delmore Schwartz’s poem, Yeats Died Saturday In France, is a poignant and reflective piece that captures the sense of loss and mourning that comes with the passing of a great artist. Written in 1939, shortly after the death of the renowned Irish poet W.B. Yeats, the poem is a tribute to Yeats’ life and work, as well as a meditation on the nature of art and its enduring legacy.

The poem opens with the stark announcement of Yeats’ death, delivered in a matter-of-fact tone that belies the depth of emotion that lies beneath the surface. “Yeats died Saturday in France,” Schwartz writes, “Aged sixty-three, a man of genius.” The brevity of the statement is striking, as if the poet is struggling to find the words to express the enormity of the loss. But as the poem unfolds, it becomes clear that Schwartz is not merely reporting the news of Yeats’ death, but grappling with its significance and trying to come to terms with the impact that Yeats’ life and work had on him and on the world.

The poem is structured around a series of reflections on Yeats’ life and work, each one building on the last to create a complex and nuanced portrait of the poet and his legacy. Schwartz begins by acknowledging the power of Yeats’ poetry, describing it as “a great light” that “shone upon this land” and “made us understand / What was to be understood.” He goes on to praise Yeats’ ability to capture the essence of Ireland and its people, describing him as “the voice of Ireland, / The voice of all its woe and mirth.” But even as he celebrates Yeats’ achievements, Schwartz is aware of the limitations of art and the fleeting nature of fame. “But now he has gone from us,” he writes, “And we are left alone / With the empty page, the empty stage, / The empty radio.”

This sense of loss and emptiness is a recurring theme throughout the poem, as Schwartz grapples with the idea of mortality and the transience of human achievement. He reflects on the fact that Yeats’ death has left a void that cannot be filled, and that his work, while enduring, is ultimately powerless to prevent the passage of time. “The words he wrote will last,” Schwartz acknowledges, “But what is written cannot stop / The clock that ticks away our lives.” This awareness of the fragility of human existence is a hallmark of Schwartz’s poetry, and it is particularly poignant in this context, as he reflects on the passing of one of the greatest poets of the 20th century.

But even as he mourns Yeats’ passing, Schwartz is also aware of the power of art to transcend time and space, and to connect us with the past and the future. He reflects on the fact that Yeats’ poetry will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come, and that his legacy will endure long after his death. “His words will live forever,” Schwartz writes, “And in the hearts of men / His spirit will abide.” This sense of continuity and connection is a powerful antidote to the sense of loss and emptiness that pervades the poem, and it speaks to the enduring power of art to inspire and uplift us, even in the face of death and decay.

Ultimately, Yeats Died Saturday In France is a poem about the human condition, and the ways in which art can help us to make sense of our lives and our mortality. It is a tribute to one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, but it is also a meditation on the nature of creativity and the enduring legacy of human achievement. As such, it is a fitting tribute to Yeats’ life and work, and a powerful reminder of the importance of art in our lives.

In conclusion, Yeats Died Saturday In France is a masterful poem that captures the sense of loss and mourning that comes with the passing of a great artist. Delmore Schwartz’s reflections on Yeats’ life and work are both poignant and insightful, and his meditations on the nature of art and its enduring legacy are both profound and uplifting. This is a poem that speaks to the human condition in all its complexity, and it is a testament to the enduring power of art to inspire and console us, even in the face of death and decay.

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