Poem Analysis - Three Things

An Elegy of Loss and Longing

William Butler Yeats's "Three Things" is a haunting elegy spoken by a bone on the shore, a fragment of a woman lamenting what death has stolen from her. The poem possesses a mournful and wistful tone, a blend of regret and yearning for the simple joys of life. There is a subtle shift in mood from a general plea to Death, to the specificity of lost motherhood and love, culminating in a quiet remembrance of a significant encounter.

Echoes of Mortality

The poem grapples profoundly with the theme of mortality. The speaker, reduced to a "bone wave-whitened and dried in the wind," is a stark reminder of the body's impermanence. The bone's mournful song embodies the despair of physical decay and the finality of death. However, the act of singing, of remembering and articulating loss, also suggests a resistance to oblivion, a persistent echo of a life lived.

The Depths of a Woman's Love

Lost love and motherhood form another central theme. The bone first recalls the nurturing comfort it once provided to a child, evoking the maternal bond. This is immediately followed by the recollection of sensual, romantic love. It highlights the richness and fullness of the speaker's life when she was alive, emphasizing the dual aspects of love – both maternal and romantic – as essential parts of the human experience. The longing is palpable, emphasizing what is now irrecoverably lost.

Encounter on a Morning

The final stanza introduces a theme of fate and destiny. The bone remembers the morning she met her "rightful man." This encounter suggests a predetermined path, a moment of profound connection that shaped her life. The simple act of stretching and yawning after meeting him implies a sense of comfort, satisfaction, and a life finally aligned with its true purpose. This memory, seemingly small, becomes significant in its representation of finding belonging and fulfillment.

Symbols in Sand and Sea

The "bone wave-whitened and dried in the wind" is the central and recurring symbol. It represents not only death but also the erosive power of time and the sea. The whitening and drying suggest a fading memory, a gradual erasure. However, the fact that the bone still sings indicates a lingering presence, a testament to the enduring power of memory and the human spirit's resistance to complete annihilation. Is the shore a purgatory or a place of endless reflection?

A Song of Remembrance

In conclusion, "Three Things" is a poignant meditation on loss, love, and the enduring power of memory in the face of mortality. The bone's lament underscores the beauty and fragility of life, highlighting the profound significance of seemingly ordinary moments and connections. The poem's power lies in its simplicity, its ability to evoke deep emotions through vivid imagery and the haunting voice of a lost soul. It ultimately becomes a song of remembrance, celebrating the enduring essence of a life lived and loved.