Yeats - Easter 1916 Flashcards
Use a line to show that Yeats knew the rebels of 1916
I have met them at close of day
The rebels were passionate about the cause of Irish freedom. Quote to support.
Coming with vivid faces
Yeats didn’t take the rebels seriously prior to the Easter rising.
Of a mocking tale or a gibe.
He felt that Ireland was a land of fools; that the people would never strive for cultural freedom
Being certain that they and I but lived where motley is worn:
Yeats did not consider it a woman’s place to be involved in politics. He refers to Countess Markiewicz’ involvement saying…
That woman’s days were spent in ignorant good-will
He believed that Thomas Mac Donagh might have become a great writer had he not died for the cause.
He might have won fame in the end
Reluctantly, Yeats refers to major John Mac Bride but let’s the reader know that he holds great disdain for him.
A drunken, vainglorious lout.
Everything has changed in Ireland as a result of the Rising, according to Yeats. Any refrain.
Transformed utterly: a terrible beauty is born.
Some people only focus on one thing in life and they become obsessed with it.
Hearts with one purpose alone
Use a Line to highlight the constant flow of life.
To trouble the living stream.
Yet these people with one passion alone will remain steadfast and not give up on their passion
The stone’s in the midst of all
Spending too much of life focused on one thing alone can result in life passing you by.
Too long a sacrifice
Can make a stone of the heart
Yeats symbolizes death in this poem using the image of:
Nightfall
He wonders when we will have done enough for the cause of Irish freedom.
O when may it suffice?
He reflects on a sentiment he shared with the reader in September 1913 when he says that their deaths may have been in vain
Was it needless death after all?
