"To an Athlete Dying Young"

Paper Summary:

This paper contends that because sports or athletics is such a personal endeavor, many authors have used this topic as a foundation to write about other topics. At first reading this poem, it may appear that the sporting event is the primary theme. However, upon reviewing the literature, it is recognized that there are underlying ideas that are much more meaningful that relate to human emotions, thoughts or behavior. The paper presents and discusses the poem "To an Athlete Dying Young," by A.E. Housman claiming that it offers a prime example of this. The paper explains the although a primary read through of the piece makes it appear as a simple poem on a runner's life and death, on further perusal it is clearly recognized that Housman uses his literary form to pose the lifelong question: Is it better to have lived a short and noteworthy life than one that is longer and status quo?

From the Paper:

"At first reading, the poem, told from the point of view of a friend who is one of the pallbearers, is primarily about a young runner who dies in his prime. As anyone who has gone through high school knows, the sports star or letterman is one of the biggest men (women do not usually get this same notoriety) on campus. If someone has led the school to victory in a major sport such as football, track or basketball, he will be well known throughout the community, talked about by all the sports fans and adored by many of the co-eds. He is, as noted in the poem, "carried of the shoulders of his friends after a winning race" and cheered and saluted. In many cases, the athlete's grades and other extracurricular activities do not have to be that great. He has already proven himself in this other arena."

More papers on "To an Athlete Dying Young":

• Analytical Essay # 49052 : "A.E. Housman's "To an Athlete Dying Young"
• Essay # 72558 : "Cultural Reactions to Death and Dying"
• Book Review # 116866 : "To Hell with Dying"

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