'September 1913' by William Butler Yeats
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What need you, being come to sense,
But fumble in a greasy till
And add the halfpence to the pence
And prayer to shivering prayer, until
You have dried the marrow from the bone?
For men were born to pray and save:
Romantic Ireland's dead and gone,
It's with O'Leary in the grave.
Yet they were of a different kind,
The names that stilled your childish play,
They have gone about the world like wind,
But little time had they to pray
For whom the hangman's rope was spun,
And what, God help us, could they save?
Romantic Ireland's dead and gone,
It's with O'Leary in the grave.
Was it for this the wild geese spread
The grey wing upon every tide;
For this that all that blood was shed,
For this Edward Fitzgerald died,
And Robert Emmet and Wolfe Tone,
All that delirium of the brave?
Romantic Ireland's dead and gone,
It's with O'Leary in the grave.
Yet could we turn the years again,
And call those exiles as they were
In all their loneliness and pain,
You'd cry, 'Some woman's yellow hair
Has maddened every mother's son':
They weighed so lightly what they gave.
But let them be, they're dead and gone,
They're with O'Leary in the grave.
Editor 1 Interpretation
September 1913: A Poetic Exploration of Irish Nationalism
Introduction
William Butler Yeats, the renowned Irish poet, wrote one of his most powerful works, "September 1913," in response to the death of thirty-four people at a union rally in Dublin. This event, known as the Dublin Lockout, marked a significant turning point in Irish history, as it brought to the fore the issues of class and inequality that had long been simmering beneath the surface. In this essay, I will explore the themes of nationalism, political activism, and social injustice that are at the heart of Yeats's poem, and consider how they contribute to its enduring relevance and power.
Background
Before delving into Yeats's poem, it is worth taking a moment to consider the historical context in which it was written. In 1913, Ireland was still under British rule, and the struggle for Irish independence was in its early stages. The Dublin Lockout was a major event in this struggle, as it brought the issues of worker exploitation and social injustice to the attention of the wider public. At the time, the Irish labour movement was expanding rapidly, and the Lockout was seen as a critical moment in the struggle for workers' rights and equality.
Analysis
"September 1913" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the mood and spirit of the time in which it was written. The poem opens with a stark and uncompromising critique of the Irish bourgeoisie, whom Yeats sees as being out of touch with the needs and aspirations of the Irish people. The opening lines of the poem are particularly powerful:
What need you, being come to sense,
But fumble in a greasy till
And add the halfpence to the pence
And prayer to shivering prayer, until
You have dried the marrow from the bone?
Here, Yeats is using powerful and evocative language to criticize the Irish bourgeoisie, whom he sees as being obsessed with money and profit, to the detriment of the Irish people as a whole. The use of the word "greasy" to describe the till is particularly evocative, as it conjures up images of dirt and corruption. Similarly, the phrase "prayer to shivering prayer" suggests that the Irish bourgeoisie are so obsessed with money that they have forgotten what it means to be truly human.
The second stanza of the poem continues this theme, as Yeats contrasts the greed and selfishness of the Irish bourgeoisie with the selflessness and sacrifice of the Irish patriots who fought for independence:
Was it for this the wild geese spread
The grey wing upon every tide;
For this that all that blood was shed,
For this Edward Fitzgerald died,
And Robert Emmet and Wolfe Tone,
All that delirium of the brave?
Here, Yeats is using powerful and vivid imagery to evoke the spirit of Irish nationalism, and to contrast it with the venality of the Irish bourgeoisie. The use of the phrase "wild geese" to describe the Irish patriots who fought for independence is particularly evocative, as it suggests that they were brave and fearless, willing to fight for their beliefs no matter what the cost. Similarly, the reference to Edward Fitzgerald, Robert Emmet, and Wolfe Tone emphasizes the sacrifices that these men made in the cause of Irish independence, and suggests that the Irish bourgeoisie have forgotten the true meaning of patriotism.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as Yeats uses it to call for a return to the values of Irish nationalism and to the spirit of the patriots who fought for independence:
Romantics at war with life,
They shook their wicked heads:
'Your heart's blood upon the spear.'
Hideous trade!
Brothers, the drift of my argument is that the bourgeoisie are opportunistic and corrupt, and that they have forgotten the true meaning of patriotism and sacrifice. In "September 1913," Yeats is calling for a return to the values of Irish nationalism, and for a rejection of the greed and selfishness of the Irish bourgeoisie.
Conclusion
In conclusion, William Butler Yeats's "September 1913" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the spirit and mood of the time in which it was written. Through its use of powerful and vivid imagery, the poem critiques the greed and selfishness of the Irish bourgeoisie, and calls for a return to the values of Irish nationalism and to the spirit of the patriots who fought for independence. Today, the poem remains a powerful reminder of the importance of political activism and social justice, and of the need to resist the forces of greed and corruption that threaten to undermine the values and ideals of our society.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
September 1913: A Poem of Political and Social Critique
William Butler Yeats, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, wrote the poem September 1913 as a response to the political and social climate of Ireland during the early 20th century. The poem is a scathing critique of the Irish bourgeoisie and their indifference towards the plight of the working class. In this article, we will delve into the themes and motifs of September 1913 and analyze the poem in detail.
The poem opens with the lines, "What need you, being come to sense, / But fumble in a greasy till / And add the halfpence to the pence / And prayer to shivering prayer, until / You have dried the marrow from the bone?" These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, as Yeats immediately establishes a sense of disgust towards the bourgeoisie. The phrase "fumble in a greasy till" suggests that the bourgeoisie are only concerned with accumulating wealth, and that they do so in a careless and unscrupulous manner. The phrase "prayer to shivering prayer" suggests that the bourgeoisie are also hypocritical, as they may pray for the poor but do nothing to help them.
Yeats then goes on to describe the "motley" crowd that gathers in Dublin's streets, and contrasts them with the "polite meaningless words" of the bourgeoisie. The phrase "motley" suggests that the crowd is made up of people from all walks of life, and that they are united in their struggle against the bourgeoisie. The phrase "polite meaningless words" suggests that the bourgeoisie are only concerned with appearances, and that they do not truly care about the plight of the working class.
The poem then takes a turn towards the political, as Yeats references the "great" figures of Irish history, such as Wolfe Tone and Emmet. He contrasts these figures with the "greasy" bourgeoisie, suggesting that the latter are unworthy of being compared to the former. The phrase "Romantic Ireland's dead and gone" suggests that Yeats believes that the Ireland of the past, with its revolutionary spirit and commitment to justice, has been lost. He then goes on to criticize the bourgeoisie for their lack of patriotism, stating that they "fumble in a greasy till / And add the halfpence to the pence / And pray to God it's all right."
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as Yeats directly addresses the bourgeoisie and asks them to "fumble in a greasy till / And add the halfpence to the pence / But let the world dream otherwise, / You have done your work." The phrase "let the world dream otherwise" suggests that the bourgeoisie are content with their own self-interest, and that they do not care about the opinions of others. The final line, "You have done your work," suggests that Yeats believes that the bourgeoisie have contributed to the decline of Ireland, and that they are responsible for the suffering of the working class.
In conclusion, September 1913 is a powerful poem that critiques the political and social climate of Ireland during the early 20th century. Yeats uses vivid imagery and powerful language to convey his message, and his critique of the bourgeoisie is as relevant today as it was when the poem was written. The poem is a call to action, urging readers to stand up against injustice and to fight for a more just and equitable society.
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