“Will it be so again?” by C Day Lewis full analysis
Will it be so again
that the brave, the gifted are lost from view,
and empty, scheming men
are left in peace their lunatic age to renew?
Will it be so again?
Must it be always so
that the best are chosen to fall and sleep
like seeds, and we too slow
in claiming the earth they quicken, and the old usurpers reap
what they could not sow?
Will it be so again -
the jungle code and the hypocrite gesture?
A poppy wreath for the slain
and a cut-throat world for the living? That stale imposture
played on us once again
Will it be as before -
peace, with no heart or mind to ensue it,
guttering down to war
like a libertine to his grave? We should not be surprised: we knew it
happen before.
Shall it be so again?
Call not upon the glorious dead
, to be your witness then.
The living alone can nail their promise to the ones who said
it shall not be so again.
Stanza 1
"Will it be so again?": This opening line establishes a questioning
and apprehensive tone, immediately engaging the reader. The
repetition of "so" emphasizes the poet's concern about a recurring
pattern.
"Are left in peace their lunatic age to renew?": A direct question
posed to an unspecified "they," suggesting a group in power. The term
"lunatic age" is a strong condemnation, implying irrationality and
madness in leadership.
"Will it be so again?": The repetition of the question intensifies the
poet's anxiety and fear of history repeating itself.
Stanza 2
"That they could not sow?": This line suggests a critique of those in
power who reap the benefits without contributing to the foundation.
The use of "sow" implies creation and hard work.
"The jungle code and the hypocrite gesture?": These phrases
paint a picture of a society governed by brutality and deceit. The
"jungle code" evokes images of a lawless and competitive
environment.
"Played on us once again?": The poet directly addresses the reader,
implying a shared experience of being manipulated or deceived.
Stanza 3
"Like a libertine to his grave?": This simile compares the actions of
those in power to a reckless and immoral individual. The image of a
libertine suggests a disregard for consequences.
"Happen before?": Another rhetorical question, emphasizing the
cyclical nature of the problem.
Will it be so again
that the brave, the gifted are lost from view,
and empty, scheming men
are left in peace their lunatic age to renew?
Will it be so again?
Must it be always so
that the best are chosen to fall and sleep
like seeds, and we too slow
in claiming the earth they quicken, and the old usurpers reap
what they could not sow?
Will it be so again -
the jungle code and the hypocrite gesture?
A poppy wreath for the slain
and a cut-throat world for the living? That stale imposture
played on us once again
Will it be as before -
peace, with no heart or mind to ensue it,
guttering down to war
like a libertine to his grave? We should not be surprised: we knew it
happen before.
Shall it be so again?
Call not upon the glorious dead
, to be your witness then.
The living alone can nail their promise to the ones who said
it shall not be so again.
Stanza 1
"Will it be so again?": This opening line establishes a questioning
and apprehensive tone, immediately engaging the reader. The
repetition of "so" emphasizes the poet's concern about a recurring
pattern.
"Are left in peace their lunatic age to renew?": A direct question
posed to an unspecified "they," suggesting a group in power. The term
"lunatic age" is a strong condemnation, implying irrationality and
madness in leadership.
"Will it be so again?": The repetition of the question intensifies the
poet's anxiety and fear of history repeating itself.
Stanza 2
"That they could not sow?": This line suggests a critique of those in
power who reap the benefits without contributing to the foundation.
The use of "sow" implies creation and hard work.
"The jungle code and the hypocrite gesture?": These phrases
paint a picture of a society governed by brutality and deceit. The
"jungle code" evokes images of a lawless and competitive
environment.
"Played on us once again?": The poet directly addresses the reader,
implying a shared experience of being manipulated or deceived.
Stanza 3
"Like a libertine to his grave?": This simile compares the actions of
those in power to a reckless and immoral individual. The image of a
libertine suggests a disregard for consequences.
"Happen before?": Another rhetorical question, emphasizing the
cyclical nature of the problem.
