One of the key themes
of modernism is the idea of the individual in a rapidly changing and fragmented
world. ‘The Second Coming’ reflects this theme through its emphasis on the
breakdown of traditional social and political structures. Yeats suggests that
the world is in a state of chaos and anarchy, and that there is no longer any
sense of order or control.
The poem's use of
fragmented imagery also reflects the modernist style. Yeats uses a series of
disjointed and sometimes surreal images to convey the sense of a world in flux.
For example, he describes ‘a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi,’ which is a
reference to a collective unconscious that is shared by all humanity. This
image suggests that the world is interconnected in ways that are not
immediately apparent, and that there are hidden forces at work that are beyond
human comprehension.
The poem’s use of
symbolism is also typical of modernist literature. Yeats uses a range of
symbols, including the falcon, the Sphinx, and the ‘rough beast,’ to represent
different aspects of the human experience. These symbols are open to
interpretation, and they suggest that the world is complex and multifaceted.
Finally, the poem's
style is also typical of modernist literature. Yeats uses a range of literary
techniques, including alliteration, repetition, and parallelism, to create a
sense of rhythm and movement. The poem's use of free verse also reflects the
modernist style, as it allows Yeats to experiment with form and structure in
new and innovative ways.
‘The Second Coming’ is
a modernist poem because it reflects the themes, imagery, and style that are
typical of modernist literature. It explores the individual’s place in a
rapidly changing and fragmented world, and it uses a range of literary
techniques to create a sense of complexity and ambiguity.