How to be Old
Mary Swenson
0. She is giving advice on how to move into old age.
1. She is speaking about youthfulness, young and carefree.
She is also talking about the physical aches and pains.
1-2. She is adding onto her previous though. The word everybody acts as
inclusive language and is very collective.
She places the “At first” the beginning of the line, to show emphasis on
the beginning of the line. This also has a connotation in showing that
things have changed.
“Everybody is” included in this journey and no one is exempt.
2-3. Her tone is very emphatic (she is certain and grounded in her opinion).
You have a lot of responsibilities.
3. It takes time. You dread what is happening.
4. “Youth is given” – everyone is born, and everyone has their youth
given to them.
The semicolon shows that there are two balanced ideas.
“Achieved” – usually you set a goal and you work very hard to achieve
that goal. She makes age sound like a milestone and an
accomplishment of life.
5-6. Referencing back to the achievement of getting old.
In order to age properly (wisdom).
7-8. Simile – doll and youth.
When a doll is new, it is all pretty but you would put it into the
cupboard once it is old and not so ugly.
You put the doll in the closet just like you have to give up your youth
one day.
9-10. There are moments where you have to be serious and then there are
appropriate times where you can have fun and be youthful once again.
She is trying to say that you must embrace getting old.
10- You may revisit your youth and fondly remember the different
12. experiences – can be compared to the dresses. But it is not necessary
to expose them to others.
13. It is not to say that youth is ugly, you should admire it.
14. You must reminisce an become nostalgic, reflect on it in the bad days.
15- You should complement yourself.
16. Be satisfied with your age.
Congratulate yourself as you have ACHIEVED AGE.
17. In time there is an ending. Speaking about being very old. Getting to
the end of your life.
18. She is saying there is a sense of satisfaction and achievement when
you become old.
19. In time has been repeated 4 times and therefore shows emphasis on
how you cannot stop time and how it goes on and on.
19- There is an idea of legacy. Leaving behind your achievements,
20. memories, traits and parts of your personality.
This legacy will be adopted by others, and new life will emerge from
old.
[you want people to pitch up at your funeral].
The mood of the poem is sombre but it is also hopeful toward the end.
Mary Swenson
0. She is giving advice on how to move into old age.
1. She is speaking about youthfulness, young and carefree.
She is also talking about the physical aches and pains.
1-2. She is adding onto her previous though. The word everybody acts as
inclusive language and is very collective.
She places the “At first” the beginning of the line, to show emphasis on
the beginning of the line. This also has a connotation in showing that
things have changed.
“Everybody is” included in this journey and no one is exempt.
2-3. Her tone is very emphatic (she is certain and grounded in her opinion).
You have a lot of responsibilities.
3. It takes time. You dread what is happening.
4. “Youth is given” – everyone is born, and everyone has their youth
given to them.
The semicolon shows that there are two balanced ideas.
“Achieved” – usually you set a goal and you work very hard to achieve
that goal. She makes age sound like a milestone and an
accomplishment of life.
5-6. Referencing back to the achievement of getting old.
In order to age properly (wisdom).
7-8. Simile – doll and youth.
When a doll is new, it is all pretty but you would put it into the
cupboard once it is old and not so ugly.
You put the doll in the closet just like you have to give up your youth
one day.
9-10. There are moments where you have to be serious and then there are
appropriate times where you can have fun and be youthful once again.
She is trying to say that you must embrace getting old.
10- You may revisit your youth and fondly remember the different
12. experiences – can be compared to the dresses. But it is not necessary
to expose them to others.
13. It is not to say that youth is ugly, you should admire it.
14. You must reminisce an become nostalgic, reflect on it in the bad days.
15- You should complement yourself.
16. Be satisfied with your age.
Congratulate yourself as you have ACHIEVED AGE.
17. In time there is an ending. Speaking about being very old. Getting to
the end of your life.
18. She is saying there is a sense of satisfaction and achievement when
you become old.
19. In time has been repeated 4 times and therefore shows emphasis on
how you cannot stop time and how it goes on and on.
19- There is an idea of legacy. Leaving behind your achievements,
20. memories, traits and parts of your personality.
This legacy will be adopted by others, and new life will emerge from
old.
[you want people to pitch up at your funeral].
The mood of the poem is sombre but it is also hopeful toward the end.
