The_second_coming_详细解析_YEATS_叶芝.docVIP

The Second Coming - W.B. Yeats 1919年,整个世界,特别是欧洲正努力而缓慢地从第一次世界大战的阴影中恢复过来。威廉·巴特勒·叶芝面对周遭形形色色的社会问题,为一个充满了罪恶、污染、混乱和颓废的世界发出悲叹。在他看来,这是有史以来最暴力和无法无天的时代。世界缺乏有系统的信仰维系,各个群体在互动 Turning and turning in the widening gyreThe falcon cannot hear the falconer;The opening lines of "The Second Coming" introduce two major symbols in the poem which work to represent the sense that contemporary society has lost control. The symbol of the gyre represents eternity. As the present society draws to a close, Yeats sees the gyre of eternity widening. At the birth of a new era the motion of the gyre is narrow. The falcon represents the role of man and current society. As the falcon travels the motion of the gyre, it becomes less aware of its master, the falconer, who represents the order and structure in society. This implies that Yeats's notion of contemporary society is being destroyed by its lack of order, or anarchy. Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, These lines confirm the above idea by showing that without order "Things fall apart." Society's center dissolves as the gyre widens, introducing anarchy. The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhereThe ceremony of innocence is drowned; In these lines the conflict between order and anarchy continues. The image of the "blood-dimmed tide" is a violent one which drowns the "ceremony of innocence." Here again, the reader will note that the ceremony, or the ordered part of society is destroyed by the chaotic, violent side. The best lack all conviction, while the worstAre full of passionate intensity. These lines further explore the chaos and violence of the poem's society. Humanity has been divided into the "best" and the "worst," and as one would expect in this dying civilization the worst of humanity holds power fueled by "passionate intensity." Surely some revelation is at hand;Surely the Second Coming is at hand. In these lines the speaker contemplates the violence in society as a sign of Chr