Question

Which type of symbol does this poem by William Butler Yeats use? The Wild Swans at Coole … Upon the brimming water among the stones are nine-and-fifty swans The nineteenth autumn has come upon me Since I first made my count: I saw, before I had well finished, All suddenly mount And scatter wheeling in great broken rings Upon their clamorous wings … But now they drift on the still water. Mysterious, beautiful: Among what rushes will they build, By what lake’s edge or pool Delight men’s eyes when I awake some day To find they have flown away? A. person B. animal C. object

Answer 1

Hmmm. B. Animal. Because the poet is talking about swans. swans are animals. Now ya know. ;)

Answer 2

Answer:

B. animal

Explanation:

In this poem, Yeats focuses on the image of the swans he observed at Coole Park, the home of Lady Gregory, a close friend of Yeats. This is the main symbol that the author creates in the poem. He describes the swans as mysterious and beautiful, and wonders what it will be like when they fly away. The most common interpretation of the poem is one of melancholy.