WILL IT BE

SO AGAIN?
C Day Lewis (1904 – 1972)
WHO WAS C DAY LEWIS
 C. Day-Lewis, in full Cecil Day-
Lewis, was one of the leading British
poets of the 1930s; he then turned
from poetry of left-wing political
statement to an individual lyricism
expressed in more traditional forms. He
also wrote several novels under the
pseudonym Nicholas Blake.
 The son of a clergyman, Day-Lewis was
educated at the University of
Oxford and taught school until 1935.
 He was the father of actor Daniel Day-
Lewis and television chef and food critic
Tamasin Day-Lewis.
OVERVIEW
 This poem seems to explore themes of loss, injustice, and the cyclic nature of history.
 The poet questions whether the brave and gifted individuals are forgotten, while
cunning and empty men thrive.
 It also touches on the idea of the best often being sacrificed, leaving the old
manipulative figures in power.
 The poem raises concern about whether humanity will repeat its mistakes, falling
into the trap of war and hypocrisy.
 The last stanza emphasizes the importance of the living taking responsibility for the
future and preventing history from repeating itself.
 Overall, the poem reflects on the fragility of peace and the need for collective action
to avoid repeating past mistakes.
WILL IT BE SO AGAIN?
Will it be so again
that the brave, the gifted are lost from view,
and empty, scheming men
are left in peace their lunatic age to renew?
Will it be so again?

Must it be always so
that the best are chosen to fall and sleep
like seeds, and we too slow
in claiming the earth they quicken, and the old usurpers reap
what they could not sow?
Will it be so again -
the jungle code and the hypocrite gesture?
A poppy wreath for the slain
and a cut-throat world for the living? That stale imposture
played on us once again

Will it be as before -
peace, with no heart or mind to ensue it,
guttering down to war
like a libertine to his grave? We should not be surprised: we knew it
happen before.

Shall it be so again?
Call not upon the glorious dead
to be your witness then.
The living alone can nail their promise to the ones who said
it shall not be so again.
STANZA 1
Will it be so again The first stanza sets the tone of uncertainty,
posing the question of whether history will
That the brave, the gifted are lost from repeat itself. It suggests that in the past,
view, brave and gifted individuals have been
And empty, scheming men overlooked, while those lacking integrity
have flourished in an insane world.
Are left in peace their lunatic age to renew?
Will it be so again?
STANZA 1
"That the brave, the gifted are lost from view,
And empty, scheming men
Are left in peace their lunatic age to renew?
Will it be so again?"
STANZA 2
Must it be always so
That the best are chosen to fall and sleep
Like seeds, and we too slow
In claiming the earth they quicken, and the
old usurpers reap
What they could not sow?
This stanza continues the theme of loss and
questions why the best individuals often
face a tragic fate, while the less deserving
benefit from their efforts. It emphasizes the
slow progress of society in appreciating the
contributions of the gifted.
STANZA 2
"Must it be always so
That the best are chosen to fall and sleep
Like seeds, and we too slow
In claiming the earth they quicken, and the old usurpers reap
What they could not sow?"
STANZA 3
Will it be so again -
The jungle code and the hypocrite gesture?
A poppy wreath for the slain
And a cut-throat world for the living? That
stale imposture
Played on us once again.
The third stanza explores the idea of
duplicity and hypocrisy in human conduct.
The "jungle code" implies a ruthless and
survival-based mentality, contrasting with
the deceptive "hypocrite gesture." The
poppy wreath symbolizes respect for the
fallen, but the world remains ruthless and
merciless for the living.
STANZA 3
"Will it be so again -
The jungle code and the hypocrite gesture?
A poppy wreath for the slain
And a cut-throat world for the living? That stale imposture
Played on us once again."
STANZA 4
Will it be as before - The fourth stanza revisits the cyclical nature
of history, comparing the transition from
Peace, with no heart or mind to ensue it, peace to war to a libertine's descent into a
Guttering down to war grave. The poet suggests that this pattern
has occurred before, and humanity should
Like a libertine to his grave? We should not not be surprised by its recurrence.
be surprised: we knew it
Happen before."
STANZA 4
"Will it be as before -
Peace, with no heart or mind to ensue it,
Guttering down to war
Like a libertine to his grave? We should not be surprised: we knew it
Happen before."
STANZA 5
Shall it be so again?
Call not upon the glorious dead
To be your witness then.
The living alone can nail their promise to
the ones who said
It shall not be so again.
The final stanza reiterates the poem's
central query: whether history will repeat
itself. The poet urges not to rely on the
glorified dead to witness change but
emphasizes the living's responsibility to
ensure that such a fate will not repeat.
STANZA 5
"Shall it be so again?
Call not upon the glorious dead
To be your witness then.
The living alone can nail their promise to the ones who said
It shall not be so again."
SUMMARY
Overall, the poem raises thought-provoking questions about human
behaviour and societal patterns. It encourages reflection on the past
to avoid repeating mistakes and to be proactive in shaping a better
future.
GLOSSARY
 Lunatic - someone who is either clinically
insane or just acting really crazy
 Quicken - give (new life) or energy to
 Usurpers - A usurper is someone who
wrongfully takes someone else's place.
 Jungle code – a scenario where anything
goes. the superiority of brute force or self-
interest in the struggle for survival
 Poppy wreath - a symbol of
both remembrance and hope for a peaceful
future. worn in some countries to
commemorate their military personnel
who died in war
 Cut-throat world - involving the use of
ruthless measures.
 Guttering - "to flicker or burn
unsteadily,"
 Libertine - a person, especially a man,
who freely indulges in
sensual pleasures without regard to moral
principles.