Lesson 9.3: When You Are Old

Which two of the following express the main theme of the poem that people will come to regret rejecting those who loved them truly and deeply?

• “When you are old and grey and full of sleep, / And nodding by the fire, take down this book” (Lines 1-2)

• “And slowly read, and dream of the soft look / Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep” (Lines 3-4)

• “And bending down beside the glowing bars, / Murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled” (Lines 9-10)

• “But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you, / And loved the sorrows of your changing face” (Lines 7-8)

Which of the following expresses a main theme of the poem?

• People should reflect on their life's accomplishments when they are older.

• People will come to regret rejecting those who loved them truly and deeply.

• People should value their youth because they will wish that they had done more when they are old.

• People can come to regret the choices they made in their youth.

What is the poem's rhyming scheme?

• abba cddc effe

• abab cdcd efefe

• abba cddc eeff

• aabb ccdd eeff

Which is NOT a message conveyed by the poet?

• Her existing company loves her for her beauty

• His love will only last till the time she is young and beautiful

• One day she would grow old and regret lost opportunities

• He loves her not just for her appearance but pilgrim soul

What does the phrase "your face changing" suggest?

• the speaker said something upsetting causing the expression on the woman's face to change

• the speaker said something offensive causing the woman to become angry

• the woman has become sad and bitter

• the beauty will fade away with age

Who is the speaker addressing?

• his mother

• his sister

• a young woman he had loved and admired

• his ex wife

How does the last stanza shape the overall meaning of the poem?

• It shows that without the subject's love, he was able to climb mountains and reach the stars.

• It emphasizes the speaker's loneliness and that it is too late to change the situation.

• It emphasizes how the speaker wants the subject to suffer from the same loneliness he feels.

• It shows that the speaker was ashamed to have lived such a lonely life.

What is the significance of Yeats' characterization of the subject as a "pilgrim soul" in Line 7?

• It shows that the speaker loves the subject despite their tendency to stray.

• It shows that the speaker loves the subject for who they truly are.

• It shows that the subject is unable to love the speaker back.

• It shows that they are different from others that the speaker loved.

Which quote below best supports the theme?

• “How many loved your moments of glad grace, / And loved your beauty with love false or true” (Lines 5-6)

• “When you are old and grey and full of sleep, / And nodding by the fire, take down this book” (Lines 1-2)

• “And bending down beside the glowing bars, / Murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled” (Lines 9-10)

• “And slowly read, and dream of the soft look / Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep” (Lines 3-4)

Which of the following expresses a main theme of the poem?

• People should value their youth because they will wish that they had done more when they are old

• People can come to regret the choices they made in their youth

• People should reflect on their life's accomplishments when they are older

• People will come to regret rejecting those who loved them truly and deeply