His Phoenix by W.B. Yeats (1919)
In his poem, "The Phoenix," W.B. Yeats tells the story of a mythical bird that is reborn from its own ashes. The poem begins with the Phoenix's lament that it is the only one of its kind, and that it will never find a mate. The Phoenix then goes on to describe its own death and rebirth, and how it will rise from the ashes of its former self. The poem ends with the Phoenix's hope that it will find a mate in its new life, and that it will be able to share its joy with another. The poem is a metaphor for the cycle of life and death, and the hope of renewal and rebirth.
By W.B. Yeats · First published 1919 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Mythology · 358 words
First lines
There is a queen in China, or maybe it's in Spain, And birthdays and holidays such praises can be heard Of her unblemished lineaments, a whiteness with no stain, That she might be that sprightly girl who was trodden by a bird; And there's a score of duchesses, surpassing womankind, Or who have found a painter to make them so for pay And smooth out stain and blemish with the elegance of his mind: I knew a phoenix in my youth so let them have their day.
What this Textopian page supports
His Phoenix is listed on Textopian as a poem by W.B. Yeats, dated 1919 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: W.B. Yeats
- Date: 1919 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Mythology, Fantasy
- Length: 358 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for His Phoenix by W.B. Yeats
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The book is written by W.B. Yeats, a renowned poet, and is likely to be a collection of his poems.
- Romanticism — The title of the book, 'His Phoenix', suggests a romantic theme, likely involving a love story.
- Mythology — The title of the book, 'His Phoenix', suggests a mythological theme, likely involving a mythical creature.
- Fantasy — The title of the book, 'His Phoenix', suggests a fantasy theme, likely involving magical elements.
Tags
poetry · W.B. Yeats · symbolism · mythology · rebirth · love · loss · nature · spirituality · Irish literature · modernism · transformation