The Choice (Poem by William Butler Yeats)

The Choice

By William Butler Yeats

The intellect of man is forced to choose

Perfection of the life, or of the work,

And if it take the second must refuse

A heavenly mansion, raging in the dark.

When all that story’s finished, what’s the news?

In luck or out the toil has left its mark:

That old perplexity an empty purse,

Or the day’s vanity, the night’s remorse.

Poem Analysis:

William Butler Yeats’ poem The Choice is a brief yet profound meditation on the conflict between personal fulfillment and artistic or intellectual achievement. In just eight lines, Yeats presents a stark dichotomy: one must choose between a life well-lived and a work perfected. This struggle, central to the poet’s own experience, resonates deeply with artists, thinkers, and anyone who grapples with ambition and sacrifice.

The Central Dilemma: Life vs. Work

The poem opens with a statement that defines the central theme:

The intellect of man is forced to choose

Perfection of the life, or of the work,

Yeats suggests that human intellect cannot have both a perfect life and a perfect body of work—one must be sacrificed for the other. This presents an age-old philosophical and artistic dilemma: should one pursue a fulfilling personal life, with love, family, and peace, or dedicate oneself entirely to a craft, potentially at the cost of personal happiness?

Yeats himself struggled with this choice. As a poet and dramatist, he devoted his life to literature, often at the expense of personal relationships. His unrequited love for Maud Gonne, his political involvements, and his relentless artistic ambitions reflect the tension he describes in the poem.

The Consequences of Choosing the Work

The next lines describe the consequences of choosing the "perfection of the work":

And if it take the second must refuse

A heavenly mansion, raging in the dark.

Here, the phrase "heavenly mansion" suggests peace, contentment, or even spiritual salvation—perhaps referencing the biblical promise of paradise. By choosing artistic or intellectual perfection, one forfeits this "mansion" and instead faces "raging in the dark." This line conveys the internal turmoil of those who dedicate themselves to their work, suggesting that such individuals often struggle with loneliness, frustration, or obsession.

The image of "raging in the dark" evokes the struggles of great artists and thinkers—many of whom lived tormented lives. Figures like Vincent van Gogh, Sylvia Plath, and even Yeats himself experienced deep personal suffering despite their creative brilliance.

The Futility of the Struggle

The poem then questions the value of such toil:

When all that story’s finished, what’s the news?

This rhetorical question suggests that, in the end, the achievements of a lifetime may amount to little. Despite years of labor, struggle, and sacrifice, what remains? Is the pursuit of perfection worth it? This echoes a common existential question about legacy: does one's work truly matter in the grand scheme of things?

Yeats seems to acknowledge the inevitable passage of time and the potential insignificance of even the greatest artistic efforts. No matter how much one achieves, life moves forward, and new generations take the place of the old.

The Final Trade-Off: Wealth vs. Regret

The closing lines provide a final reflection on the consequences of this choice:

In luck or out the toil has left its mark:

That old perplexity an empty purse,

Or the day’s vanity, the night’s remorse.

Here, Yeats suggests that regardless of whether one succeeds or fails ("in luck or out"), the struggle leaves a lasting impact. The "empty purse" signifies financial hardship, a fate familiar to many who dedicate their lives to art or intellectual pursuits. Alternatively, even those who achieve fame and fortune ("the day’s vanity") may still experience regret ("the night’s remorse").

The phrase "the day’s vanity, the night’s remorse" is especially poignant. It implies that public recognition and success ("the day") may bring pride or a sense of accomplishment, but when alone at night, the individual may feel empty or regretful. This aligns with Yeats’ belief that true fulfillment is difficult to attain, regardless of one’s chosen path.

A Poignant Reflection on Sacrifice

The Choice is a deceptively simple poem that encapsulates a profound existential struggle. Through concise yet powerful language, Yeats explores the tension between artistic ambition and personal fulfillment.

The poem does not provide an answer but instead highlights the inevitable trade-offs of life. Whether one chooses the "perfection of the life" or the "perfection of the work," sacrifices must be made. The closing lines suggest that no path is entirely free from regret—either one faces material hardship in the pursuit of art or achieves success only to feel a lingering emptiness.

Yeats’ own life mirrored this conflict. As one of the most influential poets of the 20th century, he dedicated himself to his craft, yet his personal life was marked by unfulfilled desires and inner turmoil. The Choice serves as both a personal reflection and a universal meditation on ambition, sacrifice, and the pursuit of meaning.