When considering the author’s intent in formulating an overall theme, diction must be closely analyzed. For Example, in Housman’s poem “To An Athlete Dying Young” diction helps the poem expound upon the idea that greatness can be frozen within time. When the athlete dies, the narrator depicts the image of the “townsman of a stiller town.” Specifically, the word “stiller” has significance because it directly correlates to the preservation of the athlete’s legacy at his death. Furthermore, references to the laurel have dual meanings. A Laurel is defined as an evergreen shrub or an honor for a specific achievement. In Housman’s poem, the multiple meanings of laurel can be applied at the same time suggesting that the laurel signifies both the victory of the athlete and the everlasting vitality of his honor. The fact that the reference of the laurel recurs several times further attributes to the idea that the athlete, who has died young, has preserved his admiration. Ultimately diction Housman as well as many other poets and authors use diction to communicate the central themes of their work.
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