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W.B. Yeats - Coggle Diagram
W.B. Yeats
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September 1913
Theme
Theme of hopeless for this generation as he compares their greed and obsession with money to the heroic figures he idolised.
Imagery
Continuous images of the contrast between Romantic Ireland and the modern society he resents so much. "Yet they were of a different kind" He also expresses his opinion that the middle class have betrayed the legacy of the Irish heroes, like Edward Fitzgerald and Robert Emmet.
Quotes
"shivering" describes the fear of the Catholic church and the power they had in 1913, which Yeats mocks as it is the fear that motivates them to be Catholics. "But let them be they're dead and gone, they're with O'Leary in the grave"
Techniques
Repetition- "Romantic Ireland's dead and gone" Shows how intense his frustration is and how strong he feels that the modern day society is polluted with materialists. Use of rhetorical questions- "could they save?" "of the brave?" Yeats is questioning if this is what life has come to as he can't comprehend the meaningless actions of the middle class.
Extra Points
This poem is full of tension between reality and the ideal world that Yeats longs to return - Romantic Ireland. Yeats clearly reminisces the simplicity of the past. Constant comparison to the past figures and the men today who are hungry for money.
The Wild Swans at Coole
Theme
Youth and age- The speaker laments the beginning of middle age. He imagines the swans departure and then being left alone which reflects the idea that he will be alone as he reaches old age.
Imagery
"trod with a lighter tread"- Sound of wings echo the footsteps of a man which creates a distinct connection between the two. "mirrors a still sky" the nature image pairs beautifully into the poem as it is based of the tranquillity of a swan, this also shows that this poem is dealing with self- reflection and the sense of regret for not exploring new opportunities.
Quotes
"Paths are dry" adds to the sensory aspect that is dispersed throughout this entire poem. "the first time on this shore"- reflecting to a point of happiness inn his past and regretting opportunities he never took hold off.
Techniques
Alliteration "bell-beat" enhances the sound created in the line. Gives us a clearly image of the swans.
Extra Points
Swans are a mysterious animal that represent peace and serenity. Set at dusk which is a metaphor for fading youth.
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Easter 1916
Theme
Reflects on Yeats reluctance to engage in the violence. He wanted independence but didn't agree with the fighting and loss of life that occurred.
Imagery
Imagery of Yeats greeting the revolutionaries on the streets of Dublin. "mocking tale or a gibe" here we see that Yeats language is less flowery than normal and this continues in the first stanza which represents how blunt and simplified his conversations were with the leaders of the 1916 Rising. "Hearts with one purpose alone" refers to the rebels hearts and how they were dedicated to one purpose. Yeats discusses the change in nature and contrasts them with an unmoving stone.
Quotes
List of names: "MacDonagh and MacBride, And Connolly and Pearse" shows the respect he has for the men and the appreciation he has that they fought for what they believed in.
Techniques
Repetition- "A terrible beauty is born" this line becomes more significant with every repetition. The message Yeats is spreading is clear. Rhetorical question- "Was it needless death after all?" Yeats battles with the argument that the death of such historical figures wasn't worth the independence.
Extra Points
Yeats doesn't agree with the violence of The Rising however he wants independence. He discusses the leaders and how the death of the historical heroes affected the citizens of Ireland.
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