Essay Archive - Housman's "To An Athlete Dying Young"
Housman's "To An Athlete Dying Young"
A. E. Housman's "To an Athlete Dying Young," also known as Lyric XIX
in A Shropshire Lad, holds as its main theme the premature death of a young
athlete as told from the point of view of a friend serving as pall bearer.
The poem reveals the concept that those dying at the peak of their glory or
youth are really quite lucky. The first few readings of "To an Athlete
Dying Young" provides the reader with an understanding of Housman's view of
death. Additional readings reveal Housman's attempt to convey the
classical idea that youth, bea....
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