The Speaker's Youthful Optimism:
The poem begins with a young man's naive belief in love and happiness. He's been told by a "wise man" that by the age of twenty-one, he'll have learned the world's secrets and found true love.
The Reality of Life:
However, the speaker quickly realizes that the world is not as idyllic as he was led to believe. He encounters betrayal and heartbreak, symbolized by the "pretty girl" who "played a part" and left him heartbroken.
The Cycle of Disappointment:
The poem's second stanza suggests that this experience is a recurring pattern. The speaker is warned that he will likely face similar disappointments again, with other "pretty girls" who will treat him with the same indifference.
Themes of Loss and Acceptance:
The poem ends with a resigned tone. The speaker acknowledges that his youthful optimism was misplaced, but he also accepts the inevitable pain and disappointment that life brings.
The Importance of Age and Experience:
Housman's poem emphasizes the difference between youthful naiveté and the hard-won wisdom that comes with age and experience. The speaker learns a difficult lesson about love and loss, but he also gains a more realistic understanding of the world.
Symbolism and Interpretation:
* "One-and-Twenty": This age represents the transition from adolescence to adulthood, a time when the speaker believes he will unlock life's mysteries.
* "Pretty girl": She symbolizes romantic love and the potential for happiness, but also the danger of disillusionment.
* "Wise man": He represents conventional wisdom and the expectations placed on young people.
* "The heart's desire": This phrase represents the speaker's hopes and dreams, which are ultimately dashed.
Overall, "When I Was One-and-Twenty" is a powerful and melancholic poem that explores the universal experiences of youthful idealism, heartbreak, and the gradual acceptance of life's complexities.