Table of Contents
- Post Excerpt
- Quick Facts about the Poem & Poet
- Summary of “The Wild Swans at Coole” by W. B. Yeats
- Theme of “The Wild Swans at Coole” by W. B. Yeats
- Stanza-wise Explanation (Simple Notes)
- Line-by-line Explanation (Easy Gloss)
- Word Meaning (Table)
- Literary & Poetic Devices
- Form, Rhyme Scheme & Tone
- Imagery, Symbolism & Motifs
- Questions and Answers (NCERT-style)
- Extract Based MCQs (5 Sets)
- Important Questions with Answers
- Exam Tips & How to Answer
- Vocabulary Boost & Usage
- Practice Set (Short & Very Short)
- Answer Frames & Templates
- Quick Recap (One-page Notes)
- FAQs for Class 12 Poetry (Kaleidoscope)
- About the Poet & References
Post Excerpt
The Wild Swans at Coole by W. B. Yeats is a prescribed poem in Kaleidoscope, Class 12 Elective English. It is part of the NCERT syllabus and is often asked in exams. This post provides a complete NCERT Solution including summary, explanation, theme, stanza-wise notes, and exam-style questions with answers. Students preparing for Class 12 Poetry will find it useful for revision and practice. The focus is to explain the poem in simple words so that even difficult ideas about ageing, love, and change can be understood easily. Along with line-by-line explanation, you will also get word meanings, extract-based MCQs, and important questions that are likely to come in the examination. This will help you prepare well and score better in Class 12 Elective English.
Quick Facts about the Poem & Poet
- Poem: The Wild Swans at Coole
- Poet: William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)
- Year of Publication: 1919
- Collection: The Wild Swans at Coole
- Setting: Coole Park, Ireland
- Main Idea: Yeats contrasts his own ageing and sadness with the beauty and timeless energy of the swans.
- Exam Weightage: Important for Class 12 Elective English, both short and long answer questions are often set from this poem.
Summary of “The Wild Swans at Coole” by W. B. Yeats
The poem The Wild Swans at Coole by W. B. Yeats captures the poet’s feelings of change and loss as he observes swans at Coole Park. It is autumn, and the trees and sky reflect the calm of nature. The poet counts fifty-nine swans, the same birds he had first seen nineteen years earlier. At that time, they flew suddenly into the air, full of energy and freedom. The poet feels sad because his own life has changed since then. He has grown older, and his heart feels heavy. But the swans remain strong, youthful, and full of passion. They stay in pairs, unwearied, whether on water or in the sky. Yeats admires their beauty and constancy, but also fears the day when he may wake up to find them gone. The poem reflects on human ageing and change, set against the timeless beauty and freedom of nature.
Theme of “The Wild Swans at Coole” by W. B. Yeats
The main theme of The Wild Swans at Coole by W. B. Yeats is the contrast between human life and the timeless beauty of nature. Yeats shows how people grow old, face change, and lose energy, while the swans remain youthful, strong, and full of passion. The poem speaks about ageing, loss, and sadness, but also highlights constancy, companionship, and beauty. The swans stand as a symbol of love, freedom, and eternal spirit. Yeats feels the pain of change in his own life, but he also admires the swans for their unchanging strength and their power to inspire delight. Thus, the poem deals with human weakness on one side and the everlasting charm of nature on the other.
Stanza-wise Explanation (Simple Notes)
Stanza 1
The poet describes the scene of Coole Park in autumn. The trees are colourful, the paths are dry, and the calm water reflects the twilight sky. On the water, the poet sees fifty-nine swans resting together.
Stanza 2
Yeats recalls that it has been nineteen years since he first counted these swans. Back then, as soon as he saw them, they suddenly rose into the sky, flying in wide circles with noisy wings. This memory shows their energy and freedom.
Stanza 3
The poet says he has always admired these beautiful creatures, but now he feels sorrow. Time has changed him since the first time he heard their wings at twilight. In those days, he was younger and happier.
Stanza 4
The swans, however, remain unchanged. They are still full of life. Moving in pairs, they swim in the cold water or fly in the air. They do not grow old and are always guided by passion and energy.
Stanza 5
The poet reflects that the swans now float peacefully on the water, looking mysterious and beautiful. He wonders where they will go next to build nests or bring joy to new people. He fears waking up one day to find that they have flown away.
Line-by-line Explanation (Easy Gloss)
Stanza 1
The trees are in their autumn beauty, – The poet notices the trees filled with autumn colours.
The woodland paths are dry, – The forest paths are dry as the season has changed.
Under the October twilight the water / Mirrors a still sky; – The calm water reflects the quiet evening sky of October.
Upon the brimming water among the stones / Are nine-and-fifty swans. – On the full water near stones, the poet counts fifty-nine swans.
Stanza 2
The nineteenth autumn has come upon me / Since I first made my count; – It has been nineteen years since the poet first counted the swans.
I saw, before I had well finished, / All suddenly mount – Before he could finish counting, the swans rose into the air.
And scatter wheeling in great broken rings / Upon their clamorous wings. – They flew around in large circles, making loud sounds with their wings.
Stanza 3
I have looked upon those brilliant creatures, / And now my heart is sore. – The poet admired the swans, but now he feels pain and sadness.
All’s changed since I, hearing at twilight, / The first time on this shore, – Everything has changed since the first time he heard their wings at this place.
The bell-beat of their wings above my head, / Trod with a lighter tread. – Back then, hearing their wingbeats made him feel young and cheerful.
Stanza 4
Unwearied still, lover by lover, / They paddle in the cold – The swans are still tireless and swim in pairs in the cold water.
Companionable streams or climb the air; – They move together in streams or rise into the sky.
Their hearts have not grown old; – They remain full of youth and energy.
Passion or conquest, wander where they will, / Attend upon them still. – Wherever they go, they carry passion, love, and the spirit of adventure.
Stanza 5
But now they drift on the still water, / Mysterious, beautiful; – At present, they float calmly, looking beautiful and mysterious.
Among what rushes will they build, / By what lake’s edge or pool – The poet wonders where they will settle next, by which lake or stream.
Delight men’s eyes when I awake some day / To find they have flown away? – He fears that one day he will wake up to find the swans gone, bringing joy to other people elsewhere.
Word Meaning (Table)
| Word / Phrase | Meaning (Simple) |
|---|---|
| autumn beauty | lovely colours and look of trees in autumn |
| woodland | area covered with trees; a small forest |
| twilight | soft light after sunset or before sunrise |
| mirrors | reflects like a mirror |
| brimming | full to the top |
| nine-and-fifty | fifty-nine (59) |
| mount (verb) | rise up; take off into the air |
| scatter | move apart in many directions |
| wheeling | flying or turning in circles |
| (broken) rings | not perfect circles; shifting loops in the sky |
| clamorous | loud; noisy |
| brilliant creatures | very bright and beautiful birds |
| sore (heart is sore) | painful; full of sadness |
| bell-beat (of wings) | steady, ringing rhythm like a bell |
| trod | walked |
| lighter tread | walked with a light, happy step |
| unwearied | not tired; full of energy |
| lover by lover | in pairs like mates |
| paddle | move the feet in water to swim |
| companionable | friendly; easy to be with |
| climb the air | rise high while flying |
| hearts have not grown old | spirit is still young |
| passion | strong feeling of love or desire |
| conquest | winning; victory; triumph |
| wander | move about without a fixed path |
| attend upon | follow; go with |
| drift | float slowly with the water |
| rushes | tall grass-like plants near water |
| pool | small body of still water |
| delight | great joy or pleasure |
| flown away | gone by flying; left the place |
Literary & Poetic Devices in The Wild Swans at Coole
W. B. Yeats uses many poetic devices in this poem. These devices give rhythm, beauty, and deeper meaning to his words. Here are the main ones:
1. Imagery
The poem is full of visual pictures such as “trees are in their autumn beauty”, “October twilight”, and “nine-and-fifty swans”. These images help us see and feel the scene at Coole Park.
2. Symbolism
The swans symbolise youth, love, passion, and eternity. They stand for all that is strong and unchanged, unlike human life which ages and weakens.
3. Alliteration
The sound of letters is repeated to create music, for example, “bell-beat of their wings” and “brimming water among the stones”.
4. Repetition
The word “still” is repeated to show the calmness of water and the unchanging nature of the swans.
5. Personification
Human qualities are given to the swans. Their “hearts have not grown old” and they are described as being “unwearied” and “lover by lover”.
6. Metaphor
The “bell-beat of their wings” compares the steady rhythm of wings to the ringing of a bell, without using “like” or “as”.
7. Contrast
A strong contrast is drawn between the poet’s ageing life and the ageless beauty of the swans. This deepens the sorrowful tone of the poem.
8. Tone
The tone shifts from admiration to sadness. At first, the poet praises the swans, but later he expresses his fear of loss and loneliness.
9. Rhyme Scheme
The poem follows a regular rhyme scheme of ababcc in each stanza. This gives balance and order to the verses.
Form, Rhyme Scheme & Tone of The Wild Swans at Coole
Form
The poem is written in five stanzas, each having six lines. This type of stanza is called a sexain. Yeats uses a simple and balanced structure. The form allows him to move from description of nature to personal reflection.
Rhyme Scheme
Each stanza follows the rhyme scheme ababcc. The first and third lines rhyme, the second and fourth rhyme, and the last two lines form a rhyming couplet. This gives the poem a steady rhythm and a musical flow.
Tone
The tone is calm, reflective, and sorrowful. At first, the poet admires the beauty of autumn and the swans. Soon the tone turns wistful and sad as he feels the changes brought by age and the passing of time. The contrast between the unchanging swans and his own ageing life adds a touch of melancholy.
Imagery, Symbolism & Motifs in The Wild Swans at Coole
Imagery
Yeats uses strong pictures to bring the scene alive. The autumn trees, October twilight, and still sky give us a clear sense of season and mood. The swans flying in “great broken rings” and the sound of the “bell-beat of their wings” create visual and auditory images. These images make the poem rich and memorable.
Symbolism
The swans are a central symbol. They stand for youth, love, passion, and eternity. While human life changes with age and loss, the swans remain constant and full of energy. The autumn season symbolises decline and ageing, contrasting with the vitality of the swans. The still water reflects both peace and the silence of time passing.
Motifs
The repeated ideas or motifs in the poem include time, ageing, love, and change. The poet’s nineteen-year gap since first seeing the swans shows the passing of time. His sadness at growing old contrasts with the ageless swans. The motif of pairs of swans highlights companionship and lasting love. Another motif is the fear of loss — the worry that one day the swans will fly away forever.
Questions and Answers (NCERT-style)
Understanding the Poem
Q1. How do the ‘trees in their autumn beauty’, ‘dry woodland paths’, ‘October twilight’, ‘still sky’ connect to the poet’s own life?
These images of autumn reflect decline and fading life. They connect to the poet’s own ageing and sense of loss. Just as nature moves into autumn, Yeats feels he has entered the later stage of his life.
Q2. What do ‘the light tread’ and ‘the sore heart’ refer to?
‘The light tread’ refers to the poet’s youthful days when he was carefree and joyful. ‘The sore heart’ refers to his present state of sadness and pain as he feels the burden of age and change.
Q3. What is the contrast between the liveliness of the swans and human life?
The swans remain young, tireless, and full of passion, while human life grows weak, old, and sorrowful with time. Yeats shows how the swans stay the same, but humans cannot escape change and ageing.
Q4. What contributes to the beauty and mystery of the swans’ lives?
The swans live in pairs, move gracefully on water, and rise freely into the air. Their constancy, strength, and freedom make them mysterious and beautiful, unlike the fragile human life bound by time.
Extract Based MCQs (5 Sets)
Extract Based MCQs
Set 1
“The trees are in their autumn beauty, The woodland paths are dry, Under the October twilight the water Mirrors a still sky.”
- Which season is described in the lines?
a) Summer
b) Autumn
c) Winter
d) Spring - What does the “still sky” reflect?
a) The poet’s joy
b) The poet’s calm mood
c) The water’s calmness
d) The swans’ movement - The tone in these lines is—
a) Energetic
b) Sad
c) Peaceful
d) Angry
Answer Key: 1-b, 2-c, 3-c
Set 2
“Upon the brimming water among the stones Are nine-and-fifty swans.”
- How many swans does the poet count?
a) 59
b) 60
c) 49
d) 50 - Where are the swans seen?
a) In the air
b) On the still water
c) On dry paths
d) Near the twilight sky - The word “brimming” suggests—
a) Fullness
b) Emptiness
c) Shallow water
d) Movement
Answer Key: 1-a, 2-b, 3-a
Set 3
“All’s changed since I, hearing at twilight, The first time on this shore, The bell-beat of their wings above my head, Trod with a lighter tread.”
- What has changed according to the poet?
a) His love for nature
b) His feelings and life
c) The number of swans
d) The lake itself - What does “lighter tread” mean?
a) Weak steps
b) Joyful and carefree walk
c) Strong steps
d) Fearful walk - The phrase “bell-beat of their wings” is an example of—
a) Metaphor
b) Simile
c) Personification
d) Alliteration
Answer Key: 1-b, 2-b, 3-a
Set 4
“Unwearied still, lover by lover, They paddle in the cold Companionable streams or climb the air; Their hearts have not grown old.”
- What does “unwearied” suggest about the swans?
a) They are tired
b) They remain energetic
c) They are weak
d) They are resting - How do the swans move?
a) Alone
b) In pairs
c) In groups of three
d) Without order - What quality of the swans is highlighted in “their hearts have not grown old”?
a) Constancy
b) Weakness
c) Change
d) Silence
Answer Key: 1-b, 2-b, 3-a
Set 5
“Delight men’s eyes when I awake some day To find they have flown away?”
- What does the poet fear here?
a) He will not see swans again
b) The swans will live forever
c) He will forget the lake
d) The lake will dry up - What do the swans bring to others?
a) Fear
b) Delight
c) Anger
d) Sadness - The tone in these lines is—
a) Hopeful
b) Doubtful
c) Fearful and sad
d) Playful
Answer Key: 1-a, 2-b, 3-c
Important Questions with Answers
Short Answer Questions (30–40 words)
Q1. Why does Yeats feel sorrow when he sees the swans?
Yeats feels sorrow because he has grown old and changed, while the swans remain youthful, full of passion, and unchanged. Their permanence reminds him of his own ageing and the loss of joy in his life.
Q2. How does Yeats contrast the swans with human life?
Swans are tireless, constant, and full of love and energy. Human life, on the other hand, changes with time, age, and loss. This contrast brings out the sadness Yeats feels about human weakness.
Q3. Why does the poet fear waking up one day to find the swans gone?
For Yeats, the swans symbolise beauty, love, and constancy. If they disappear, he will lose the last source of joy and stability in his life. His fear shows his deep sense of emptiness.
Long Answer Questions (120–150 words)
Q4. Discuss the use of imagery in “The Wild Swans at Coole”.
Yeats paints the scene with rich visual and sound images. He describes the autumn trees, dry woodland paths, and still sky, creating a quiet, reflective mood. The swans are shown through the image of “great broken rings” as they fly and the “bell-beat of their wings” as they rise. These images contrast the calm setting with the energy of the swans. The imagery not only brings the scene alive but also reflects the poet’s emotions—his sorrow, nostalgia, and awe. It helps readers see the contrast between the changing human life and the unchanging swans.
Q5. How does the poem reflect Yeats’s personal concerns?
The poem reflects Yeats’s struggle with ageing, loss, and the search for permanence. The nineteen years since he first saw the swans remind him of how time has changed him. He is no longer youthful or carefree, but full of sorrow and weariness. The swans, however, remain unchanged—strong, passionate, and graceful. Yeats’s fear of their disappearance reflects his fear of losing beauty and joy forever. Thus, the poem mirrors his personal longing for constancy in a world of change.
Value-based Question
Q6. What lesson about life can young readers learn from “The Wild Swans at Coole”?
The poem teaches that human life is bound by time and change, but beauty and love can be lasting. It reminds readers to cherish moments of joy and value the constancy of nature. It also suggests that youth and passion can be an inspiration even when life becomes difficult.
Exam Tips & How to Answer
1. Use of Keywords
Always include important keywords in your answers such as: autumn, twilight, sore heart, unwearied swans, passion, constancy, ageing, change. These words show that you understand the poem and its central ideas.
2. Quoting Lines
Support your answers with short quotes from the text. For example: • To show Yeats’s sadness, you can quote “my heart is sore.” • To explain the energy of swans, use “unwearied still, lover by lover.” Do not write long lines. Use only a few words and fit them into your own sentence.
3. Time Planning
- Reading time: Spend 2–3 minutes reading the question carefully.
- Short answers: Keep them 25–40 words. Spend 3–4 minutes on each.
- Long answers: Write 120–150 words. Use 7–9 minutes for each. Begin with an introduction, explain with examples, and close with a clear conclusion.
- Revision: Save 5 minutes at the end to read and correct mistakes.
4. Structuring Answers
• Begin with a clear point. • Explain using simple language. • Add a short quote for support. • End with a link to the theme of the poem. This method keeps your answer neat and examiners find it easy to mark.
5. Common Pitfalls
- Do not memorise answers blindly. Focus on ideas and key points.
- Avoid writing long quotes. Only use short phrases.
- Do not skip the conclusion in long answers.
- Avoid vague words like “nice”, “good”, “bad”. Use exact terms like “imagery”, “symbol”, “tone”.
Vocabulary Boost & Usage
Here are some useful words from The Wild Swans at Coole with simple sample sentences to help you in exams and writing tasks.
| Word | Meaning | Sample Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Season between summer and winter | The trees turn golden in autumn. |
| Twilight | Soft light just before night | We went for a walk in the twilight. |
| Clamorous | Loud and noisy | The clamorous crowd cheered the players. |
| Unwearied | Not tired | She remained unwearied even after a long walk. |
| Companionable | Friendly and sociable | He enjoyed the companionable company of his classmates. |
| Conquest | The act of winning or gaining | The king celebrated his conquest of new lands. |
| Passion | Strong emotion or love | She spoke about the project with great passion. |
| Mystery | Something difficult to explain | The old house was full of mystery. |
| Delight | Great pleasure or joy | The children screamed in delight when the gifts arrived. |
| Sore | Painful or aching | His sore leg made it hard to walk. |
| Constancy | Quality of being unchanging | The constancy of the stars comforts many poets. |
Practice Set (Short & Very Short)
Very Short Answer Questions (1 mark each)
- How many swans does the poet see at Coole Park?
- What season is described at the beginning of the poem?
- How long has it been since Yeats first counted the swans?
- Which sound does Yeats compare to a “bell-beat”?
- What fear does the poet express at the end of the poem?
Short Answer Questions (2–3 marks each)
- What is the mood of the poet in the opening stanza? Support your answer with one image.
- Why does Yeats feel his heart has grown sore while the swans remain unwearied?
- How does Yeats present the swans as symbols of love and companionship?
- Explain how nature adds to the beauty and mystery of the swans’ presence.
- What contrast does Yeats draw between the constancy of the swans and the changes in human life?
Answer Frames & Templates
These frames will help you shape answers in exams. Fill in the blanks with details from the poem.
1. Theme-based Answer Frame
The main theme of the poem “The Wild Swans at Coole” is ___________. Yeats shows that while human life ___________, the swans remain ___________. The poet uses the image of ___________ to express his feelings of ___________. Thus, the theme reflects ___________.
2. Imagery-based Answer Frame
Yeats makes use of striking imagery in the poem. For example, he describes ___________ which creates a picture of ___________. Another image is ___________ that symbolises ___________. These images help readers feel ___________ and highlight the contrast between ___________.
3. Symbolism-based Answer Frame
In the poem, the swans symbolise ___________. Their constancy represents ___________, while their passion shows ___________. Yeats contrasts this symbol with ___________ to underline ___________. Thus, symbolism strengthens the central message of the poem.
4. Poetic Device-based Answer Frame
Yeats uses the device of ___________ in the line “___________”. This device helps to ___________. Another device is ___________ in “___________”, which adds ___________. Together, these poetic devices make the poem more ___________ and effective.
5. Value-based Answer Frame
The poem teaches us the value of ___________. Through the swans, Yeats conveys that ___________, whereas human life ___________. The reader learns that even in times of ___________, one can find inspiration in ___________.
Quick Recap (One-page Notes)
- Poem: The Wild Swans at Coole by W. B. Yeats
- Setting: Coole Park, Ireland, in autumn at twilight
- Swans: 59 swans (nine-and-fifty)
- Time Gap: Nineteen years since Yeats first saw the swans
- Poet’s Mood: Sad, reflective, feels the change of age
- Contrast: Poet is ageing and weary; swans remain young and full of energy
- Key Symbols:
- Swans → permanence, passion, constancy
- Autumn → ageing, decline, change
- Twilight → end of a phase, nearing death
- Main Theme: The contrast between fleeting human life and the timeless beauty of nature
- Tone: Reflective, sorrowful, yet admiring of the swans
- Important Lines to Quote:
- “My heart is sore” → poet’s sadness
- “Unwearied still, lover by lover” → swans’ constancy
- “Delight men’s eyes” → timeless charm of swans
- Poetic Devices: Imagery, symbolism, alliteration, repetition
- Exam Tip: Always show contrast between poet’s ageing and swans’ timelessness
FAQs for Class 12 Poetry (Kaleidoscope)
1. What is the central idea of “The Wild Swans at Coole”?
The poem shows Yeats’s sadness at growing old while the swans remain youthful, lively, and constant.
2. Why are the swans important in the poem?
The swans symbolise love, constancy, and timeless beauty. They contrast with human life, which changes with age.
3. What feelings does Yeats express in the poem?
He feels sorrow, loss, and nostalgia, but also admiration for the swans’ vitality.
4. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?
The poem follows a regular rhyme scheme of ababcc in each stanza.
5. How does nature contribute to the poem’s mood?
The autumn trees, twilight sky, and still water create a calm but sad background that mirrors Yeats’s feelings.
6. What does “my heart is sore” mean?
It means the poet feels deep sadness and emotional pain.
7. Why does Yeats fear the swans may fly away?
He worries that one day they may leave, and he will lose the only constant source of beauty in his life.
8. How should I write answers in the exam?
Use key words like “symbolism”, “contrast”, and “constancy”. Quote short lines to support your points.
9. What literary devices are important to mention?
Imagery, symbolism, repetition, and alliteration are most important.
10. What lesson can we learn from the poem?
The poem teaches us to accept change in life but also to admire the timeless beauty of nature.
About the Poet & References
About W. B. Yeats
William Butler Yeats (1865–1939) was an Irish poet, playwright, and one of the greatest literary figures of the 20th century. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923. Yeats was deeply influenced by Irish mythology, folklore, and the nationalist movement. His works often blend personal emotions with larger cultural and political themes. The Wild Swans at Coole, written in 1916 and published in 1919, reflects his feelings of ageing and loss, set against the timeless beauty of nature.
References
- NCERT, Kaleidoscope: Elective English for Class XII, Poetry Section
- Yeats, W. B. The Wild Swans at Coole (1919)
- Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms
- Critical essays and notes on Yeats’s poetry (public domain sources)
