The Song of the Old Mother

William Butler Yeats

I rise in the dawn, and I kneel and blow

Till the seed of the fire flicker and glow;

Submissive attitude

Represents the mother of all Ireland or a previous, more responsible generation.

Anapaests used – ‘di di dum’ rhythm

A seed brings new lifeAssonance helping the rhythm

And then I must scrub and bake and sweep

Till stars are beginning to blink and peep;

Almost like a nursery rhyme – fitting with the mother image.

Repetition of ‘and’ emphasises her continuous labours Domestic chores

And the young lie long and dream in their bed

Of the matching of ribbons for bosom and head,

‘l’ alliteration highlights the laziness of her young.

Difference in generationsTrivial concerns

And their day goes over in idleness,

And they sigh if the wind but lift a tress;

Contrast to the industry in the first few lines

Dissatisfaction with life Lock of hair

While I must work because I am old,

And the seed of the fire gets feeble and cold.

No choice -compelled to work

No young to take on the burden and to carry on the culture and traditions

Symbolises the end of her life.