An Irish Airman Foresees His Death (Poem Summary)

Poem Summary

Lines 1-2

In the opening lines of “An Irish Airman Foresees His Death” the speaker introduces the idea of death and that he will die “among the clouds above.” This phrase introduces the idea of “air” in relation to death in the poem. What is interesting about this is that air is often associated with life and breath, but in this instance the clouds, which are composed of air, suggest death as well as the idea of heaven.

Lines 3-4

These lines establish the fact that the speaker feels separated from his role in the war. It seems as though he feels nothing, since he neither hates nor loves. At this point the reader notices the tone of indifference in the speaker’s language.

Lines 5-6

Here the speaker identifies his place of birth and the reader notices that the alliteration in these lines emphasizes a sense of pride in the tone of the speaker.

Lines 7-8

These lines immediately halt the tone in the former two lines by stating that either outcome of the war will have little effect on the poor of Kiltartan Cross. The speaker seems to have an extremely rational view of the world.

Lines 9-12

The speaker states that the usual attraction of war did not entice him, and that he chose to become a soldier because of “a lonely impulse of delight.” This is the first irrational note to the speaker. The word “tumult” is used to describe the speaker’s occupation in the line immediately following. This is in sharp contrast to the extremely rational view of the speaker earlier in the poem, and since it is juxtaposed with the clouds it brings to mind the subject of heaven that was introduced at the beginning of the poem.

Lines 13-16

These last four lines “balance” the rational and irrational aspects in the poem. The speaker reveals that the rational world he comes from offers irrational answers to problems, such as war, while the irrational world of the clouds offers both an “impulse of delight” and death. The speaker balances life and death by comparing them both to a “waste of breath.” This brings back the idea of air as life, but it is labelled a waste. By equating life and death, the speaker enables himself to accept his death.

Media Adaptations

• “The Poetry of William Butler Yeats” is available on audio cassette from Audiobooks.