Images of contentment and despondency are combined in A.E. Housman's "To An Athlete Dying Young" in order to bring to life the emotion in the text. While dying young is considered a misfortune by many, an analysis of the poem demonstrates that those who don't outlive their fame and glory are truly the lucky ones. The inspiration behind Housman's words is given by the notion that premature death is a blessing and not a burden.

Both jovial and poignant images are called to mind when the author speaks of the young athlete as being held "shoulder-high" (Housman 1207). Housman relates the athlete's final accomplishment of winning the race to the funeral proceedings, which symbolizes that even in death youth, fame, and glory can still remain and may be the only way to truly preserve youth and beauty. "Smart lad, to...