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swans, Yeats feels the passage of time in himself. He is older, wearier, and more conscious
of change.
Here, the thought develops into a contrast between permanence and change. The swans
symbolize youth, vitality, and constancy, while Yeats represents human aging and the
inevitability of decline.
Reflection on Time and Change
The poet then reflects on how his own life has changed since he first saw the swans. Back
then, he was younger, full of energy, and perhaps more hopeful. Now, he feels the weight of
years. The swans, however, are still full of passion and life. They swim together, mate for
life, and seem untouched by time.
This stage of thought is deeply personal and emotional. Yeats is not just describing swans;
he is using them as a mirror to reflect on his own mortality and the fleeting nature of human
joy.
The Swans as a Symbol of Permanence
Yeats then emphasizes the swans’ enduring qualities. They are “unwearied,” still flying and
moving with grace. Their ability to remain unchanged over decades makes them symbols of
permanence in a world where everything else changes.
This thought develops into a philosophical realization: nature, represented by the swans,
holds a kind of immortality that humans cannot achieve.
The Final Note: A Sense of Loss and Wonder
In the closing lines, Yeats imagines the swans flying away someday, leaving him alone. This
thought is tinged with sadness and longing. He admires their beauty and vitality but also
feels excluded from it. The swans embody a kind of eternal youth and companionship that
Yeats knows he cannot share.
The poem ends with a mixture of wonder and melancholy. Yeats marvels at the swans’
constancy but mourns his own aging and the inevitability of change.
Tracing the Development of Thought
To summarize the progression:
1. Observation: Yeats begins by describing the serene autumn scene and the swans.
2. Contrast: He notices that while the swans remain unchanged, he himself has aged.
3. Reflection: He recalls his younger days and feels the difference in his own life.
4. Symbolism: The swans become symbols of permanence, vitality, and immortality.
5. Conclusion: Yeats ends with a sense of loss, recognizing that while the swans
endure, human life is fragile and fleeting.