“An Irish Airman Foresees His Death” by W. B. Yeats is a poem about a young Irish pilot who knows that he will die in battle. The airman reflects on his life and the reasons behind his decision to fight in World War I. He isn’t fighting for a country or a cause he strongly believes in, but rather because he is drawn to the excitement and challenge of flying.
The airman understands that his death is inevitable and that it will have little impact on the world, but he accepts it with calm. He doesn’t feel any particular loyalty to either side of the war; he is simply following his own path, driven by a desire for adventure rather than duty or hatred. The poem speaks to the personal choice and fate of the airman, highlighting themes of individualism, mortality, and the meaning of life in the face of war.

Fact | Details |
Title | An Irish Airman Foresees His Death |
Author | W. B. Yeats |
Main Character | An Irish pilot who knows he will die in battle during World War I |
Theme | Mortality, individualism, the meaning of life in war, and personal choice |
Setting | World War I, in the air as the pilot prepares for battle |
Plot | The airman reflects on his life and reasons for flying, knowing that his death is certain and that it will have little impact on the world. |
Symbolism | The airman represents personal choice and acceptance of fate; his death symbolizes the inevitability of mortality in war. |
Tone | Calm, reflective, and detached from the larger cause of the war |
Message | The poem explores how individuals may seek adventure or personal meaning in life, even in the face of certain death, especially in times of war. |
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