Poem Analysis - What Then

A Life Under Scrutiny: An Introduction

William Butler Yeats' "What Then?" presents a stark and unsettling meditation on ambition, achievement, and the ultimately unsatisfying nature of earthly success. The poem follows the life of a man who achieves his youthful aspirations, only to be met with the persistent, questioning refrain, "What then?" delivered by Plato's ghost. This ghostly query casts a shadow over his accomplishments, suggesting a deeper, perhaps unanswerable, longing. The tone is initially expectant, bordering on celebratory, but quickly darkens into one of existential unease as the poem progresses, culminating in a chilling reminder of life's inherent limitations.

The Futility of Achievement

One of the primary themes explored in "What Then?" is the futility of achievement in the face of mortality and a potentially meaningless existence. The poem meticulously chronicles the protagonist's successes: academic promise, literary recognition, financial security, fulfilling relationships, and creative accomplishment. However, each stanza ends with the same haunting question, "What then?" This repetition undermines the significance of each achievement, suggesting that no matter how much one attains, a deeper satisfaction remains elusive. The relentless questioning forces us to consider whether worldly success truly fulfills the human spirit, or if it merely masks a fundamental emptiness.

The Unreachable Ideal

The figure of Plato's ghost serves as a crucial symbol in the poem, representing an unreachable ideal or a higher philosophical standard. Plato, known for his exploration of abstract concepts like truth, beauty, and justice, embodies a realm beyond the material and the immediately gratifying. His ghostly presence suggests that the protagonist's ambitions, though realized, remain tethered to the earthly plane and fail to address the profound questions of existence. The ghost's persistent query can be interpreted as a reminder that material success and personal fulfillment are ultimately transient and fail to satisfy a deeper, more spiritual longing. The question of "What then?" therefore points to the insufficiency of temporal achievements in addressing the eternal questions that have occupied philosophers for centuries.

The Shadow of Discontent

The poem utilizes imagery of gradual decline and underlying discontent to further reinforce its themes. The description of the "small old house" and the "grounds where plum and cabbage grew" initially suggests a peaceful, pastoral existence. However, the phrase "small old house," while seemingly idyllic, also carries a sense of limitation and the inevitable decay associated with age. Even the presence of "poets and Wits" cannot dispel the pervasive sense of unease. The contrast between the protagonist's external successes and the persistent questioning of Plato's ghost creates a palpable sense of internal conflict, highlighting the shadow of discontent that lingers beneath the surface of his seemingly fulfilling life.

Concluding Reflections

"What Then?" is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of human ambition and the search for meaning. Yeats uses the recurring question posed by Plato's ghost to challenge the conventional notion of success and to highlight the potentially unsatisfying nature of earthly achievements. The poem suggests that true fulfillment may lie beyond the material world and that the relentless pursuit of worldly goals can ultimately leave one feeling empty. Ultimately, the poem's significance lies in its unflinching examination of the human condition and its unsettling reminder of the limitations of even the most successful life.