Why did Yeats write when you are old?
It’s written about two young people imagining what life will be like when they are old. It seems to be an attempt by Yeats to warn Gonne what life could be like if she rejects his pure and genuine love for her and instead turns to what he sees as the less genuine love of others.
What is the theme of the poem when you are old?
Major Themes in “When You Are Old”: Love, rejection and time are the major themes of this poem. To express pure love, the poet invites her to have a glance at the time when she will be old and will not be surrounded by fake lovers. Therefore, she should understand his feelings toward her.
