Question

What is the significance of Yeats' characterization of the subject as a "pilgrim soul" in Line 7? A It shows that they are different from others that the speaker loved. B It shows that the subject is unable to love the speaker back. C It shows that the speaker loves the subject for who they truly are. D It shows that the speaker loves the subject despite their tendency to stray

Answer 1

Spiritual Pursuit

Step-by-step explanation:

W.B. Yeats' poem "When You Are Old" is an address to Irish revolutionary and actress, Maud Gonne. She repeatedly declined Yeats' love and eventually married another man. The poem comprises poet’s eternal love for his beloved.

Yeats’ diction here is worth contemplating as 'Pilgrim soul' is an unusual phrase to describe a woman's soul. Pilgrim refers to a person embarked on the spiritual or religious journey in greater pursuits. It also means a person who wanders, which may be referred to Yeats pursuit of Maud Gonne to the very depths of her soul, is in itself a spiritual journey. Pilgrim soul has a spiritual resonance. He loved her for the unique qualities she has.

Answer 2

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

Step-by-step explanation:

The question above refers to the poem "When You Are Old" where the speaker describes how much he loves a certain woman. The speaker of the poem describes how many men loved this woman for the beauty they displayed in their youth, but he loved her for her pilgrim soul, that is, she loved her for what she really was, within her soul. For that reason, he continued to love her even when her face started to age.