He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven
By William Butler Yeats
Alexis Sell
Theme: A dream is precious and fragile
Repitition
"Tread softly because you tread on my dreams" (8)
One's dreams can be stepped on and broken.
"But I, being poor, have only my dreams" (6)
When having nothing, a dream is the most valuable thing.
"embroidered cloths" (1) "I would spread the cloths under your feet" (5)
Shows that one's dreams are special.
Imagery
"Had I the heaven's embroidered cloth" (1)
One dream may come together when one has everything put together.
"Enwrought with golden and silver light" (2)
Will give one hope that one's dream will come true.
"The blue and the dim and the dark cloths of night" (4)
Negativity can shroud one's dreams and cause them to falter.
Rerification
"I have spread my dreams under your feet" (7)
When one has nothing to give to someone, dreams can become a special gift to give.
"Had I heavens' embroidered cloths" (1)
When one cannot possess a desire then all one can do is lean back onto a dream.
"The blue and the dim and the dark cloths" (3)
One's thoughts about a dream can have a negative effect on one's life.