Understanding 'To an Athlete Dying Young'

The poem 'To an Athlete Dying Young' by A. E. Housman reflects on the fleeting nature of glory and the inevitability of death. It celebrates an athlete's victory and subsequent homecoming, while contemplating the silence and legacy left behind. The poem suggests that dying young allows the athlete to escape the decline of fame and be remembered at the peak of their glory.

What is the main theme of the first section of the poem?

• The market-place's role in the celebration

• The town's pride in the athlete's victory

• The athlete's struggle to win the race

• The athlete's personal feelings about winning

In the second section, what does the poem suggest about glory?

• It is more enduring than a laurel

• It fades quickly, like a rose

• It is not worth pursuing

• It lasts forever like a rose

Why is the athlete considered 'smart' in the second section?

• For winning the race

• For being popular in town

• For avoiding the decline of fame

• For training hard

What does the final section imply about the athlete's legacy?

• It will be questioned by future generations

• It will be forgotten over time

• It will be celebrated eternally

• It will be overshadowed by others

How does the poem describe the athlete's achievements in the final section?

• As eternally preserved

• As a forgotten memory

• As a challenge to others

• As a fleeting moment