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Summary Will it be so again IEB Poem
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In depth line by line analysis of Will it be so again? by Cecil Day Lewis
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Will it be so again? – Cecil Day LewisWill it be so again
That the brave, the gifted are lost from view,
And the 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 ensure it,
Guttering down to war
Like a libertine to his grave?
We should not be surprised: we knew it
Happen before.
, Analysis
Cecil Day Lewis's poem "Will it be so again?" reflects on the cyclicality of history and
the recurrence of humanity's tendency to allow the loss of brave and gifted individuals,
replaced by scheming men. The poem questions whether the best will always make way
for the worst and whether this pattern will continue. It highlights the injustice of old
usurpers reaping rewards they didn't sow and criticizes the hypocrisy in society, where
a poppy wreath is offered for the slain while the living contend with a cut-throat
world. Overall, it's a contemplation on the persistence of these troubling patterns
throughout history.
In the opening line, "Will it be so again," the poet
immediately introduces a sense of uncertainty and
Rhetorical question?
repetition, setting the tone for the entire poem.
The use of the word "again" implies a cyclical or
recurring pattern, suggesting that the speaker is
Uncertainty
contemplating whether history will repeat itself.
This question prompts the reader to consider the
1. Will it be so again persistence of certain undesirable or troubling
circumstances in the world, and it sets the stage
for the subsequent lines in the poem, which delve
Happened before, cyclical
into themes of power, conflict, and the contrast
between those who are "brave" and "gifted" and
those who are "empty" and "scheming." The line
encapsulates the overarching theme of cyclical
history and the potential for the repetition of
unfortunate events, engaging the reader in a
thought-provoking exploration of these ideas.
In line 2 the speaker expresses a sense of
Makes it clear what will happen again - disillusionment and concern about the fate of
exceptional individuals. The use of "the brave" and
"the gifted" suggests a specific group of people
Poet is speaking of soldiers who possess courage and talent, possibly those
who could make a positive impact on society. The
2. That the brave, the gifted are lost phrase "are lost from view" indicates that these
from view, remarkable individuals tend to go unnoticed or
unappreciated, emphasizing the idea that their
Lost from view – Perhaps potential contributions may be squandered or
they passed away overlooked. This line reflects a lament for the lack
of recognition and support for those with valuable
qualities, while potentially criticizing a society
that doesn't prioritize or nurture its best and
brightest.
The speaker uses vivid and contrasting imagery to
Reason for the event happening again…
highlight a sense of disillusionment and cynicism.
The term "empty" implies that these individuals
Criticize of the scheming lack substance or genuine qualities, suggesting
men, calling them empty they may be morally or intellectually deficient. The
word "scheming" suggests a deliberate and often
devious intention behind their actions. This
3. And the empty, scheming men combination of "empty" and "scheming"
Politicians/ Men in power? characterizes these individuals as manipulative and
opportunistic. The use of the word "men" is likely
not limited to gender but is a broader reference to
people in positions of power or authority. This line
effectively sets up a contrast between those who
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