Summary of the poem The Second Coming written by W.B Yeats for class 11.

 W.B. Yeats's poem "The Second Coming" explores themes of chaos, change, and the cyclical nature of history. Written in 1919, it reflects the disillusionment and turbulence following World War I. The poem suggests that civilization is unraveling, and humanity is on the brink of a transformative but ominous era.

Key Points:

1. Opening Chaos: The poem begins with the image of a falcon spiraling out of the falconer's control, symbolizing disorder and the collapse of traditional structures. "Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold," Yeats writes, encapsulating the sense of societal disintegration.

2. Moral Decay: Yeats describes a world where "the best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity," highlighting the loss of moral authority and the rise of destructive forces.

3. Vision of a New Era: Yeats envisions the birth of a new age marked by the arrival of a monstrous figure. This "rough beast," slouching towards Bethlehem to be born, represents a foreboding, almost apocalyptic transformation. It draws from Yeats's interest in cyclical history and the idea that each epoch gives way to its opposite.

4. Symbolism: The poem is rich in symbols, such as the falcon (freedom gone awry), the rough beast (a destructive force heralding change), and the Second Coming (a distorted or corrupted version of Christ's return).

Yeats's tone is both prophetic and despairing, blending personal belief in the cycles of history with a universal commentary on human civilization. The poem's vivid imagery and philosophical depth make it one of the most significant works of modernist literature.