Poem Analysis - The Old Men Admiring Themselves In The Water

Introduction: A Lament for Lost Beauty

William Butler Yeats's "The Old Men Admiring Themselves In The Water" is a short, poignant meditation on aging, loss, and the relentless passage of time. The poem evokes a somber and melancholic tone, reflecting the old men's awareness of their own mortality and the fading of beauty. The repetition within the poem underscores the cyclical nature of these reflections, creating a sense of resignation and quiet sorrow.

The Unavoidable Truth: Mortality and Decay

The poem's central theme is undoubtedly mortality. The line "Everything alters, / And one by one we drop away" directly addresses the inevitability of death and the transient nature of existence. This theme is reinforced by the description of the old men: "They had hands like claws, and their knees / Were twisted like the old thorn-trees." This imagery paints a picture of physical decay and the effects of aging, highlighting the contrast between their present state and their former vitality. The fact that they are "old, old men" is repeated, adding to the overall feeling of age and approaching death. The poem is a quiet reflection on accepting a bitter truth that is faced by many.

The Ephemeral Nature of Beauty

Another key theme is the fleeting nature of beauty, expressed through the lines "All that's beautiful drifts away / Like the waters." This suggests that beauty, like the constantly flowing water, cannot be held onto. It's transient and constantly changing, eventually disappearing altogether. The image of water is significant; it can represent life, purity, and renewal, but also erosion, loss, and the passage of time. The repetition of "the waters" connects both the physical decay of the men and the loss of beauty, suggesting a parallel between the two. The men's reflection, a faint echo of their younger selves, is also drifting away within that water.

Water and Thorns: Symbols of Time and Suffering

The poem employs vivid imagery to deepen its themes. The water serves as a powerful symbol of time, constantly flowing and carrying things away. It reflects the old men, forcing them to confront their aging visages. The "old thorn-trees" provide a stark image of resilience and suffering. Thorn trees are often associated with pain and endurance; their twisted forms symbolize the hardships and trials that have shaped the men over time, bending but not breaking them. The combination of water and thorns creates a natural world mirroring the men's own slow decline.

A Final Reflection: Accepting Transience

"The Old Men Admiring Themselves In The Water" is a poignant reflection on aging and the acceptance of loss. Yeats crafts a powerful message about mortality and the fleeting nature of beauty through simple, yet evocative language and imagery. The poem suggests that while beauty fades and life inevitably ends, there is a certain wisdom and acceptance to be found in recognizing this natural process. The act of "admiring themselves" could be interpreted not as vanity, but as a final acknowledgment of the life they have lived, before they, too, "drop away" like the waters.