“The Second Coming” by W. B. Yeats mirrors the declining socio-political and spiritual
conditions of Ireland after World War 1, which can be applied to the decaying social and
political situation of the present Pakistan. Yeats, in this poem, describes that it is the
individual who is responsible for the barrenness in the country. Socio-political situation
of a country reflects the inclinations of its individuals. The loyalty of the individuals
promises the stable socio-political situations while disloyal individuals destroy the
Yeats says that after the World War 1, the Irishmen have moved away from their centre
i.e. Christian belief. He predicts that this decentralization of the Irishmen would lead
them to destruction. He presents the people as victims of anarchy and darkness. He hints
at the animal instincts of the people who are engaged in killing one another. He points
out the spiritual dryness of the people who are no more loyal to their country and to their
own self. Yeats has written this poem for the people of Ireland but it can be extended to
every nation, which is going away from its fundamental beliefs. This poem can be
applied to the present chaotic situation of Pakistan. The people of Pakistan are moving
away from their moral values, due to which, there is disorder in every walk of life. The
people have lost hope in the goodness of humanity and have adopted animal instincts.
The loss of centrality is the basic issue of Pakistani people as it is of the Irishmen in
away from the falconer. The bird continues to fly and move further and further away
This metaphor depicts the situation of the Irishmen who are moving away from Christian
civilization. The teachings of Christianity are no more audible to them. Irishmen, after
World War 1, faced destruction at moral level. They lost politeness in their behaviors.
The spirits of sacrifice and loyalty were unknown to them. Selfishness had been
penetrated into the roots of the society. Therefore, falcon here symbolizes the Irishmen
who had moved away from the audibility of its falconer that is Christian belief.
Similarly, this metaphor can stand for the people of Pakistan who do not pay heed to the
moral values, preached by their ancestors. Love for humanity and respect for institutions
are lacking in Pakistani people. Collective benefits are sacrificed for the sake of personal
gains. The people of Pakistan prefer money on service. Corruption, dishonesty, and
insincerity are their main concerns. Therefore, the people of Pakistan can be the falcons
of Yeats who are moving away from their values. Margaret Rudd says:
poem “The Second Coming”, “things fall apart; the centre cannot hold” (l.3). After World
War 1, Ireland was going through civil war. Two nationalisms were being propagated by
Protestants and Catholics. The former wanted to remain as a part of Britain while the
latter promoted the thought of freedom. Similarly, In Pakistan, people have lost the sense
of nationalism and are no more loyal to their country. They want to change their
provinces and cities into separate countries. They do not regard the benefit of country as
A decline can be evidently seen in the law and order situations of Pakistan. The
rich mould the law according to their own benefits while the poor are deprived of justice.
There is no balance in educational system as well. The children of the rich people have
modern system of education while the children of the poor people study under the
Pakistani educational system. Due to these injustices, the poor can never be able to meet
the rich. The thoughts of the people are also divided. There is no one straight thinking
rules it for most of the time. The constitution is considered to be a centre in the politics
of a country. All are supposed to follow the constitution but, in Pakistan, it becomes a
toy, which is played by every ruler. Every ruler makes amendments in the constitution
for his own benefits. Pakistan is an independent country but some outer hands control it.
Yeats, in his poem, says that there is ‘anarchy’ in the world. He says in his poem:
“mere anarchy is loosed upon the world” (l.4). After World War 1, there were clashes on
different levels in Ireland. Religion and tradition gave way to historical and socio-
cultural shifting. Easter (or Irish) rebellion in 1916 shook the thoughts of the Irishmen,
due to which, exploration of decay, abnormality and gloom could be seen evidently in
them. Anarchy about which Yeats talks in his poem can be seen in the present Pakistan
as well. Selfishness has become a main way to live. Everybody is concerned with his
own life and there is no spirit of sacrifice. Personal gains are preferred instead of
collective benefits.
There is disorder in the society. The poor are exploited and the rich enjoy their
lives without doing anything. Child labor is the violation of human rights but it also
exists in Pakistan. The children are found working at different places at very low wages.
Shopkeepers and other businesspersons employ the small children to enhance their profit.
The poor people send their children to beg instead of sending them to schools. In this
way, the children at a very small age, start supporting their families economically. The
landowners use the children of the poor people in a selfish way and cease all the ways to
Educational system is in its worse condition. Degrees are sold and jobs are given
on the merit of wealth not of education. The police officers work for those people who
pay them separately. The doctors of government hospitals spend most of their time in the
private clinics and use the medicines of government for their own purposes. The courts
are unable to do justice with the people. The decisions are predetermined. The rich buy
the justice and the poor wait for their turns in the courts for years. Therefore, the
In his poem, Yeats tells that there is bloodshed everywhere. He says in his poem,
“The blood-dimmed tide is loosed.” After World War 1, Ireland was in terrible shape.
Due to the civil war, there were many killings. Germany was suppressed by the British.
Russian revolution was also there. In these circumstances, Yeats could perceive that next
world is of bloodshed. The civil war of Yeats’ time can be identified with that of the
present Pakistan. The thoughts of the people are divided on provincial level. They want
their provinces as separate countries. Such demands cause riots, which result in killing.
People fight against one another on sectarian basis. Different sectors propagate negative
elements against one another. They use the name of religion to kill one another.
There are suicide attacks and bomb blasts in the cities. Terrorists come to the cities
and kill the innocent people. Blood tides are seen everywhere in political processions,
educational institutions, courts, public places and even in religious gatherings. Even the
people who come from other countries for business or sports also become the victims of
In fascist mob-mania.
So the blood tides in Ireland after World War 1 can be seen in the present Pakistan.
The finest and most outstanding men have no profound beliefs or principles, while the
bad or the most harmful and destructive are filled with zealous dedication. After World
War 1, Irish leadership was lacking conviction while the destructive forces were at their
best. Irish republican army went to militants. The lack of devoted leadership can be
observed in the present Pakistan as well. The people who are at the helm of affairs are
practically quiet while the destructive forces are doing their best. The opponent forces
who are working against the integrity of Pakistan and damaging its image on the world
level but the rulers have no concern with the repute of the country. The enemies of
Pakistan have divided it into two parts before and now they are trying to remove it from
the map of the world but the rulers of the country are devoid of national spirit and paving
the ways for the enemies. Therefore, the opponents of Pakistan are eating it up while the
Yeats predicts that the second coming of a beast is about to happen. He says in his
poem:
despair at the apparent inevitability of change and an unmistakable sense of fear in the
face of an unknown future. The revelation of beast which can be symbolized with the
unknown fear of war is revolving around the whole world including Pakistan. There is
always a danger of war in the country. Due to political and economical instability,
opponent forces are seeking the opportunity to attack Pakistan. Some disputes have been
politicized to create tension in the country. Due to this problem, the people of the
country can never be able to get rid of the fear of war. The tension of war, which always
These activities are not acceptable anywhere in the world. Resultantly, a fear of war
encircles the people of Pakistan. The prediction of Yeats seems quite true in the present
Pakistan. A civil war between the army and extremists is also going on within the
country. Due to this war, there are a lot of killings and people are forced to leave their
places. These are the self-made problems, which induce fears in the minds of the people.
These self-created issues are getting strength in the country, which leads to the fear of
considered that human beings are civilized but, after the war, which ended up in massive
killings, it was confirmed that human beings are still savage. There were the elements of
fear, uncertainty, and pessimism after the war. In the same way, Yeats presents the idea
of the dark world, which hereby means that world has reentered the Dark Age. The
gloominess after World War 1 can be identified with the miserable condition of present
Pakistan. It is getting dark day by day and reaching the position where it will be
The economic condition of the country is very much miserable. The present
Pakistan is indulged in the net of debts so badly that every newborn child is indebted.
The artists are moving to other countries because they are not paid well in the country.
Due to security reasons, outer investors neglect Pakistan. Economic injustices further
worsen the situation as society is extremely divided into rich and poor classes. The lives
of the poor are worst than those of animals and the rich are accumulating more wealth. So
the ongoing adverse circumstances have enveloped the country from all sides and
In the light of this poem, the people of Pakistan can learn a lot from the situation of
a European man generally and of the Irish man particularly. Now the Pakistani people
are standing at the same position where the Irish people have been standing in the past.
The beast of ignorance and poverty is also destroying the country. Therefore, people of
Pakistan should be loyal to their culture and values. The best people should be convicted
and the worst should be discouraged. There should be an atmosphere of sacrifice and
service. Selfishness and anarchy must be removed. The rulers must consider their
country above all. In short, W. B. Yeats’ poem “The Second Coming” can be identified
with the present situation of Pakistan and can be an eye- opener for its masses.