Long questions and answers from the poem "The Second Coming" written by W.B Yeats for class 11.

Question 1: What is the significance of the phrase "Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold"?

Answer:
This phrase symbolizes the collapse of societal structures and traditional values. Yeats conveys the idea that the world is in a state of disarray, with central principles or systems—be it morality, governance, or religion—losing their coherence and power. The "centre" represents stability and order, and its inability to hold suggests a world spiraling into chaos and anarchy.

Question 2: Why does Yeats use the falcon and falconer imagery in the poem?

Answer:
The falcon and falconer imagery represents the breakdown of control and harmony. The falcon, once guided by the falconer, is now flying out of reach, symbolizing humanity's detachment from traditional guidance or principles. This disconnection mirrors the larger chaos of society, where established systems and relationships have unraveled, leaving humanity directionless.

Question 3: Who or what is the “rough beast” mentioned in the poem?

Answer:
The "rough beast" is a mysterious, sphinx-like figure that symbolizes the birth of a new and ominous era. It embodies Yeats's belief in cyclical history, where the end of one age gives rise to another. Unlike the Christian Messiah of the original Second Coming, this figure is terrifying and destructive, suggesting that the new age will bring darkness and turmoil rather than redemption.

Question 4: What is the significance of “Bethlehem” in the poem?

Answer:
Bethlehem is traditionally associated with the birthplace of Christ and the Christian era. By referencing Bethlehem, Yeats draws a parallel between the First Coming of Christ, which brought hope and salvation, and this foreboding “Second Coming.” However, the new "birth" heralds not peace but chaos and destruction, indicating a stark contrast and a corrupted renewal of history.

Question 5: How does Yeats portray the moral condition of the world in the poem?

Answer:
Yeats portrays the moral condition of the world as deteriorating and paradoxical. He observes that "the best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity," suggesting that virtuous and thoughtful individuals are passive or uncertain, while destructive and extremist forces are thriving. This imbalance highlights the moral decay and disorder pervading society.

Question 6: How does the poem reflect Yeats's idea of history and change?

Answer:
The poem reflects Yeats's belief in history as cyclical, where periods of order and chaos alternate. Influenced by his theory of gyres (spiraling historical cycles), Yeats suggests that the current age of chaos is an inevitable result of the previous era's decline. The "Second Coming" represents the start of a new cycle, but instead of bringing hope, it introduces uncertainty and fear.

Question 7: How does the poem reflect the historical context of its time?

Answer:
“The Second Coming” reflects the historical upheaval of the early 20th century, particularly the aftermath of World War I and the Russian Revolution. These events marked widespread destruction, societal disintegration, and a loss of faith in traditional values. Yeats captures this sense of crisis and change, portraying a world where the old order is collapsing, and an uncertain, foreboding future looms. The poem’s chaotic imagery mirrors the global instability of its time.

Question 8: What does Yeats mean by “The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity”?

Answer:
This line highlights the moral imbalance and societal disorder Yeats perceives. "The best" refers to virtuous, thoughtful people who are indecisive or passive in the face of challenges. In contrast, "the worst" are those driven by destructive ideologies and unrestrained ambition, acting with dangerous certainty and fervor. This moral paradox intensifies the sense of chaos and contributes to the unraveling of society.

Question 9: How does Yeats use apocalyptic imagery in the poem?

Answer:
Yeats employs apocalyptic imagery to evoke a sense of impending doom and transformation. Phrases like “mere anarchy is loosed upon the world” and “blood-dimmed tide” suggest widespread destruction and chaos. The vision of the “rough beast” slouching toward Bethlehem to be born is a chilling metaphor for the dawn of a dark, transformative era. These images convey Yeats’s view of the collapse of one age and the rise of an uncertain and possibly malevolent new cycle.

Question 10: What role does the gyre play in the poem's structure and meaning?

Answer:
The gyre, a spiral or cone shape, is central to Yeats’s theory of history, representing cyclical patterns of order and chaos. In the poem, the falcon's widening spiral suggests the disintegration of the current era. Yeats believed each gyre’s expansion marks the decline of one civilization and the birth of another. The poem captures this transitional moment, where the old world collapses and a new, terrifying force emerges.

Question 11: Why is the poem titled “The Second Coming”?

Answer:
The title references the Christian concept of Christ’s return to judge the world and bring redemption. However, Yeats subverts this expectation by depicting the Second Coming as the arrival of a monstrous “rough beast” rather than a savior. This distorted vision underscores the poet’s belief that the new age will be marked by destruction and moral decay, contrasting sharply with the hope and salvation traditionally associated with the Second Coming.

Question 12: What is the significance of “the ceremony of innocence is drowned”?

Answer:
This line signifies the destruction of purity, morality, and innocence in a world overwhelmed by chaos and violence. The "ceremony of innocence" suggests sacred rituals or values that uphold societal order. Its drowning symbolizes the loss of these stabilizing forces, leaving society vulnerable to anarchy and corruption.

Question 13: How does the poem reflect Yeats’s view on the inevitability of change?

Answer:
Yeats portrays change as an unstoppable, cyclical force. He believed history moves in recurring cycles of order and chaos, each replacing the other over time. “The Second Coming” captures the moment of one cycle’s end and another’s violent birth, emphasizing that such transformations, though catastrophic, are inevitable. The imagery of the "rough beast" represents the dark, uncertain nature of these shifts, reflecting Yeats's ambivalence about the future.

Here are quotation-based questions and answers from W.B. Yeats' poem The Second Coming:

Q1. "Turning and turning in the widening gyre"

Q: What does the image of the "widening gyre" represent in the poem?
Ans: The "widening gyre" represents a spiraling motion of history and time that moves away from order and stability. It suggests chaos, disintegration, and the breakdown of traditional structures and values. This image reflects Yeats’ belief in cycles of history, where civilizations rise and fall in a pattern of expansion and collapse. The phrase sets the tone for the poem, emphasizing instability and the inevitable arrival of dramatic change.

Q2. "Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold"

Q: How does this line reflect the central theme of the poem?
Ans: This line captures the poem's theme of societal and moral disintegration. It suggests that the core values, beliefs, and systems holding civilization together are collapsing, leading to chaos and disorder. Yeats uses this phrase to express his fear of an impending historical crisis, symbolizing a world on the brink of destruction. It remains one of the most famous lines in the poem, reflecting its universal resonance with periods of upheaval.

Q3. "The falcon cannot hear the falconer"

Q: What does this metaphor signify in the context of the poem?
Ans: The metaphor of the falcon and the falconer signifies the loss of control and connection between leaders and followers, or between humanity and higher principles. The falcon, flying further from the falconer, symbolizes a world where guidance and authority are no longer heeded, resulting in chaos. This image complements the theme of fragmentation and the breakdown of order in society.

Q4. "Surely some revelation is at hand; surely the Second Coming is at hand"

Q: What does the speaker suggest with this statement?
Ans: The speaker suggests that the chaos and disintegration of the current age indicate the arrival of a transformative event, symbolized by the "Second Coming." However, unlike the Christian idea of Christ’s return, Yeats envisions a darker, more ominous force. The repetition emphasizes the inevitability of this revelation, reflecting the poet’s belief in the cyclical nature of history and the arrival of a new, destructive era.

Q5. "The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere / The ceremony of innocence is drowned"

Q: What do these lines imply about the state of the world?
Ans: These lines depict a world engulfed in violence and moral corruption. The "blood-dimmed tide" symbolizes widespread destruction and chaos, while "the ceremony of innocence is drowned" suggests the loss of purity, decency, and moral values. Yeats uses these images to highlight the apocalyptic breakdown of society and the overwhelming force of evil and disorder.

Q6. "A shape with lion body and the head of a man, / A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun"

Q: What does the description of this creature signify?
Ans: The creature described here is a sphinx-like figure that symbolizes the arrival of a new and terrifying era. Its "blank and pitiless" gaze reflects its indifference to human suffering, suggesting the emergence of a force devoid of compassion or morality. This image represents the antithesis of Christ in the Second Coming, embodying destruction and chaos rather than redemption.

Q7. "And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, / Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?"

Q: What does the "rough beast" symbolize in the poem?
Ans: The "rough beast" symbolizes the birth of a new, menacing era in history, characterized by destruction and upheaval. Unlike the hopeful imagery of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem, this beast represents a dark and foreboding force. It reflects Yeats’ belief in cyclical history, where periods of chaos and barbarism follow the collapse of civilizations. The "slouching" posture suggests a slow yet inevitable march toward change.

Q8. "The best lack all conviction, while the worst / Are full of passionate intensity"

Q: How does this line reflect Yeats’ view of society?
Ans: This line critiques the state of society, where virtuous and wise individuals ("the best") are passive or indecisive, while destructive and immoral individuals ("the worst") are assertive and driven. It highlights a moral and intellectual crisis, where negative forces dominate due to the inaction or apathy of those who could oppose them. Yeats uses this observation to emphasize the decay of societal values and the rise of chaos.

These questions and answers explore the poem's rich imagery, symbolism, and themes, helping to understand its apocalyptic vision and philosophical depth.