of Death One of the main features of this modern elegy is the realistic representation of death Auden uses Yeats' death as a starting point for a larger meditation It crosses the nature of human existence Auden notes that death is an inevitable part of life It is something that all of us must face He suggests that death can be seen as a natural process It can also be seen as a kind of violence an abrupt end to the life of the artist He clarifies that W B Yeats has died but his artistic creation will remain forever His creation will make him immortal Auden says The words of a dead man Are modified in the guts of the living Language and Structure Auden's language is often complex allusive and deeply emotional He uses various poetic techniques such as repetition alliteration and rhyme to create a musical and memorable effect The poem is written in a formal structure It consists of four stanzas of equal length and a consistent rhyme scheme This formal structure departs from traditional elegies often with irregular stanzas and varied rhyme schemes Symbolism Auden employs rich symbolism and imagery to evoke the emotions associated with grief and loss He describes Yeats's death as the death of the poet symbolizing not only the loss of an individual but also the end of an era Additionally Auden uses vivid imagery such as the words of the dead and the sea of faith to create a sense of depth and complexity within the poem Personal Reflection The poem is written in a personal conversational tone It allows the poet to reflect on his own feelings of loss and grief This is a departure from traditional elegies Traditional elegies often focus on the deceased and their accomplishments He speaks of Yeats's death as a sad time conveying his emotional response to the news This personal element adds depth to the poem It allows readers to connect with Auden on a more intimate level Themes and Tone The poem mixes mourning loss and remembrance themes with political and social commentary This is a hallmark of modern elegies It often addresses social issues and the impact of the deceased on society That remains absent in a traditional elegy The tone of the poem is mournful and reflective However it also has a sense of urgency as Auden laments the loss of Yeats It describes the loss of Yeats as the decline of civilization Here Auden's mournful tone is revealed He disappeared in the dead of winter The brooks were frozen the airports almost deserted Allusions and References The poem contains allusions and references to other literature and historical events This reflects the idea that the memory of the deceased is part of a larger cultural and historical context In Memory of W B Yeats is a modern elegy that blends personal reflection with social commentary and cultural references The poem is a tribute to the life and legacy of William Butler Yeats written by a fellow poet Auden recognized Yeats's profound impact on the world of literature and beyond