Athlete Dying Young And Anthem For Doomed Youth
“Death, be not proud”, “To An Athlete Dying Young”, and “Anthem for Doomed Youth” are all poems that pertain to death. Death is one of the most real parts of life. Everyone is born and eventually everyone will die. In the first poem, “Death, be not proud”, the author is speaking to death as though it is a real person. He comes right out and attacks death by telling him to not be so proud and that he is not as big of deal as he thinks he is. He then continues his assault by comparing death to rest or sleep. It can also be noted that the author has this boldness because he believes in life after that on this earth. He is most likely a Christian. As Christians we know that our Savior conquered death when he rose from the grave. The author puts
is bold confidence in Jesus Christ so he can look physical death in the face without fear. In the next poem, “To An Athlete Dying Young”, the perspective is slightly different. In this poem the author’s view is more humanistic. He is writing about the shortened life of a young athlete who died in his prime. It can be seen in this poem that the emphasis is placed on this person’s accomplishments here on earth as well as the tragedy of his youthful death as opposed to the confidence of knowing that death has been defeated. In the third and final poem, “Anthem for Doomed Youth”, death is discussed from the viewpoint of a soldier who has died at war. The poem is similar to a letter notifying the fallen soldier’s family of his death. The feel that the author gives in this poem is one of hopelessness. It is even more bleak than the last because not only is death the end, but life is meaningless as well. It is portrayed that these solders have no chance of survival or hope of life to begin with. While each of these poems bring a different perspective to what death is and what it brings for each person, as Christians we have a hope that we can be sure of after death.
is bold confidence in Jesus Christ so he can look physical death in the face without fear. In the next poem, “To An Athlete Dying Young”, the perspective is slightly different. In this poem the author’s view is more humanistic. He is writing about the shortened life of a young athlete who died in his prime. It can be seen in this poem that the emphasis is placed on this person’s accomplishments here on earth as well as the tragedy of his youthful death as opposed to the confidence of knowing that death has been defeated. In the third and final poem, “Anthem for Doomed Youth”, death is discussed from the viewpoint of a soldier who has died at war. The poem is similar to a letter notifying the fallen soldier’s family of his death. The feel that the author gives in this poem is one of hopelessness. It is even more bleak than the last because not only is death the end, but life is meaningless as well. It is portrayed that these solders have no chance of survival or hope of life to begin with. While each of these poems bring a different perspective to what death is and what it brings for each person, as Christians we have a hope that we can be sure of after death.