Poem Analysis - Vacillation

A Dance Between Extremes: Introduction to Yeats' "Vacillation"

William Butler Yeats' "Vacillation" is a complex meditation on life, death, art, and the search for meaning. The poem, as its title suggests, is characterized by a wavering, uncertain tone, reflecting the poet's internal struggle to reconcile opposing forces. Yeats grapples with the transience of life and the allure of both earthly pleasures and spiritual transcendence. This sense of internal debate is further amplified by shifts in mood throughout the poem, from moments of despair and resignation to bursts of ecstatic joy.

The Ephemeral Nature of Existence: "Let All Things Pass Away"

One of the central themes in "Vacillation" is the inescapable passage of time and the impermanence of all things. This theme is most explicitly articulated in Section VI with the repeated refrain, "Let all things pass away." Yeats employs historical imagery, referencing the fall of Babylon and Nineveh, to emphasize the futility of worldly power and ambition. This section suggests that even the grandest empires and most significant achievements are ultimately destined for oblivion. The "blood-sodden heart" from which "branches of the night and day" spring further illustrates the cyclical nature of existence, where joy and sorrow are inextricably linked and constantly being replaced.

Reconciling Opposites: The Antinomies of Life

Yeats explores the theme of reconciling opposing forces, or "antinomies," as stated in the first section. He presents life as a course run "between extremities," a constant oscillation between joy and remorse, life and death. The image of the tree in Section II, "half all glittering flame and half all green," serves as a powerful symbol of this duality. The tree is both vibrant with life ("abounding foliage") and consumed by destruction ("glittering flame"). The figure of Attis, hanging between "staring fury and the blind lush leaf," represents the individual caught in this struggle, uncertain of what to embrace. This section suggests that true understanding lies not in choosing one extreme over the other, but in accepting the inherent tension between them.

Art as a Source of Immortality: The Legacy of Homer

Another significant theme is the role of art in achieving a form of immortality. Yeats contrasts the fleeting nature of worldly success, such as wealth and ambition (Section III), with the enduring power of artistic creation. He chooses Homer as his example, proclaiming "Homer is my example and his unchristened heart." This suggests that art, even if unburdened by religious dogma, can transcend the limitations of mortal existence. Yeats implicitly aligns himself with Homer, suggesting that his own poetry seeks to capture the essence of human experience and leave a lasting legacy. The poem raises an open-ended question: can art truly provide a form of immortality, or is it merely a temporary stay against the inevitable decay of time?

Symbols of Transformation and Insight

The poem is rich in symbolism. The "brand, or flaming breath" in Section I, likely represents passion or transformative experience. Fire, recurring throughout the poem, can be interpreted as both destructive and purifying. It symbolizes the intensity of life, but also the potential for spiritual awakening, as suggested by "Isaiah's coal" in Section VII. The image of the "lion and the honeycomb," borrowed from the biblical story of Samson, is suggestive of finding sweetness and nourishment (wisdom, insight) from a source of danger and strength (the body, experience). This image suggests that profound understanding can arise from embracing both the positive and negative aspects of life.

A Final Reflection: Embracing the Tumultuous Journey

"Vacillation" is a powerful and introspective poem that grapples with the fundamental questions of human existence. Yeats explores the tension between earthly desires and spiritual aspirations, the fleeting nature of time, and the potential for art to transcend mortality. The poem's shifting tone and ambiguous imagery mirror the very "vacillation" it describes, reflecting the poet's own struggle to find meaning in a world of constant change. Ultimately, Yeats seems to suggest that true understanding lies not in resolving these contradictions, but in embracing the tumultuous journey of life, with all its joys and sorrows, and creating art that reflects this complex experience.