When you are old

Question 1

Key ideas

Answer 1

• Superficial vs true love
• Memory and regret
• Invitation of self reflection

Question 2

Quote 1

Answer 2

‘and nodding by the fire, take down this book,’

Question 3

Quote 1 Technique/s

‘and nodding by the fire, take down this book,’

Answer 3

• Imagery
• Metaphor
• Symbolism

Question 4

Quote 1 Analysis

‘and nodding by the fire, take down this book,’

Answer 4

• Metaphor for Yeats love for Gonne. Also symbolic of ‘Yeats’ book of poetry.
• Invites Gonne to reflect on the memories and feelings saved in this book of love poetry.

Question 5

Quote 2

Answer 5

‘dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep’

Question 6

Quote 2 Technique/s

‘dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep’

Answer 6

• Allusion
• Metaphor
• Symbolism

Question 7

Quote 2 Analysis

‘dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep’

Answer 7

• Aimed to evoke emotions of nostalgia and regret within in Gonne, reminding her of the warmth and affection that Yeats once offered
• ‘shadows deep’ metaphorically suggest profound emotions within the person’s eyes, symbolises Gonne aging, with an allusion to the inevitability of the passage of time.

Question 8

Quote 3

Answer 8

‘How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty false or true’

Question 9

Quote 3 Technique/s

‘How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty false or true’

Answer 9

• Contrast
• Antithesis

Question 10

Quote 3 Analysis

‘How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty false or true’

Answer 10

• “False or true” contrasts the lack of sincerity of the admirers’ love, posing an antithesis that juxtaposes Yeats’ love against false lovers
• ‘Moments of glad grace’ portrays images of happiness and charm, painting a picture of the subject’s attractive qualities.

Question 11

Quote 4

Answer 11

‘But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,’

Question 12

Quote 4 Technique/s

‘But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,

Answer 12

• Contrast
• Metaphor

Question 13

Quote 4 Analysis

‘But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,’

Answer 13

• ‘But’ introduces a strong contrast with the previous lines, emphasizing that while many loved for superficial reasons, only he truly loved Gonne.
• ‘Pilgrim soul’ is a metaphor, suggesting a journeying, searching spirit, one who values character over appearance.