Poem Analysis - Owen Aherne And His Dancers

Introduction: A Mad Heart's Lament

William Butler Yeats' "Owen Aherne and His Dancers" is a poignant exploration of aging, love, and the internal conflict between reason and passion. The poem unfurls as a conversation between the speaker, Owen Aherne, and his own heart, revealing a turmoil born from the contemplation of an unsuitable love. The tone is initially regretful and burdened, shifting towards a more defiant and cynical exchange as the heart justifies its actions. The poem masterfully captures the inner landscape of a man wrestling with the complex emotions associated with age and desire.

The Crushing Burden of Unsuitable Love

One of the central themes of the poem is the burden of an "unsuitable" love. The opening stanza immediately introduces the idea that the speaker's heart is "worn out" not by the love itself, but by the impossibility of the situation. The speaker feels that the love that has come "unsought" is too great a burden for his heart to bear. The lines, "It could not bear that burden and therefore it went mad," suggest a desperate attempt to escape an emotionally overwhelming situation. This theme is further developed as the poem illustrates the speaker's fear, not just of being hurt, but of hurting the object of his affection. His heart's madness becomes a form of self-preservation, albeit a destructive one.

The Destructive Power of Internal Conflict

The poem vividly portrays the destructive power of internal conflict. The dialogue between Owen Aherne and his heart highlights the chasm between his rational mind and his emotional desires. The heart, personified as a separate entity, argues for self-preservation and societal expectations, claiming, "How could she mate with fifty years that was so wildly bred?" This rationalization stands in stark contrast to the speaker's admission that his beloved's heart would break if she knew his thoughts. This internal battle leads to a form of self-imposed isolation, as the speaker runs from his love, driven by the dictates of his "mad" heart. The poem suggests that such internal division can be as damaging as external forces.

The Cage Bird and The Wild Bird: Symbolism of Age and Freedom

The poem employs potent symbolism to underscore its themes. The image of the "cage bird and the cage bird mate and the wild bird mate in the wild" is a powerful metaphor for the societal expectations and the perceived incongruity of the relationship. The "cage bird" might represent a comfortable, predictable life, perhaps a relationship that aligns with social norms and expectations for someone of Aherne's age. Conversely, the "wild bird" symbolizes freedom, passion, and perhaps the "wildly bred" nature of the younger woman, suggesting an untamed spirit that cannot be confined. This symbolic division emphasizes the speaker's belief that their relationship is fundamentally unnatural, creating a divide that ultimately leads to his withdrawal. This raises a question; is the "madness" of the heart a product of genuine incompatibility, or the internalization of societal pressures and expectations?

Conclusion: A Heart Divided

"Owen Aherne and His Dancers" is a poignant and complex exploration of love, age, and the agonizing choices we make when faced with internal conflict. The poem's strength lies in its unflinching portrayal of a man wrestling with his desires and the societal constraints that shape his understanding of love and suitability. Yeats uses vivid imagery and a compelling dialogue between the speaker and his heart to reveal the destructive consequences of internal division. Ultimately, the poem leaves us with a lingering sense of melancholy, questioning whether the pursuit of societal acceptance is worth sacrificing the potential for genuine connection, however unconventional.