The poem “Men at Forty” by Donald Justice is about the lives of men who are growing old and reflecting on life. The character in the poem describes the process of aging as a man becomes more aware of the stages he goes through and grows up. The poem also expresses the need to take responsibility for one's life so that it does not escape without notice. Ultimately, Justice uses the poetic devices of imagery to develop an ironic and ambiguous view of the men at the age of forty that represents the process of aging from childhood to adulthood. The use of imagery is used from the first stanza, “the doors”. in the room where they won’t be / Returning” (lines 3-4). Imagery is used to explain the changes that occur in older men who can no longer do what a younger mind and body can do. The choices we make at forty are often very different from those of a younger man. As the character reflects on what was once acceptable, he realizes that these ideas are now considered childish and unimportant. Doors represent the image of progress in life, when one door closes, another opens to the next new door. There is always...