'Come Gather Round Me, Parnellites' by William Butler Yeats


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Come gather round me, Parnellites,
And praise our chosen man;
Stand upright on your legs awhile,
Stand upright while you can,
For soon we lie where he is laid,
And he is underground;
Come fill up all those glasses
And pass the bottle round.

And here's a cogent reason,
And I have many more,
He fought the might of England
And saved the Irish poor,
Whatever good a farmer's got
He brought it all to pass;
And here's another reason,
That parnell loved a lass.

And here's a final reason,
He was of such a kind
Every man that sings a song
Keeps Parnell in his mind.
For Parnell was a proud man,
No prouder trod the ground,
And a proud man's a lovely man,
So pass the bottle round.

The Bishops and the party
That tragic story made,
A husband that had sold hiS wife
And after that betrayed;
But stories that live longest
Are sung above the glass,
And Parnell loved his countrey
And parnell loved his lass.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Come Gather Round Me, Parnellites: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

William Butler Yeats is one of the most celebrated poets in the literary world. His works are characterized by their complexity and depth, and his poem "Come Gather Round Me, Parnellites" is no exception. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes, structure, and language of the poem, to unearth the meaning behind Yeats’ words.

Background

Before we dive into the analysis of the poem, it is essential to understand the context in which it was written. "Come Gather Round Me, Parnellites" was written in 1888, during a time when Ireland was struggling for independence from British rule. The Parnell Movement, named after Charles Stewart Parnell, was a political movement that aimed to achieve Irish independence through peaceful means. However, the movement was marred by scandal, and Parnell was eventually ousted from his position as leader.

Yeats was deeply involved in the Irish nationalist movement and was a supporter of Parnell. He wrote this poem as a tribute to Parnell and the movement he led.

Themes

The central theme of "Come Gather Round Me, Parnellites" is the struggle for Irish independence. Yeats uses the poem to reflect on the challenges faced by the Parnellite movement and its supporters. He highlights the sacrifices made by those who fought for Irish freedom, and the challenges they faced in the face of British oppression.

The poem is also about the idea of sacrifice. Yeats writes about how the Parnellites were willing to give up their lives for their cause, and how their deaths were not in vain. The idea of sacrifice is a recurring theme in Yeats' works, and he uses it to reflect on the struggle for Irish independence.

Another theme in the poem is the idea of hope. Despite the challenges faced by the Parnellites, Yeats remains optimistic about the future of Ireland. He believes that the sacrifices made by those who fought for independence will not be in vain, and that one day, the Irish will achieve their freedom.

Structure

"Come Gather Round Me, Parnellites" is a short, six-stanza poem, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The poem follows a simple, AABB rhyme scheme, which adds to its simplicity and memorability.

The poem's structure is symmetrical, with the first and last stanzas being identical. This creates a sense of closure and reinforces the idea that the struggle for Irish independence is ongoing.

Language

Yeats' use of language in "Come Gather Round Me, Parnellites" is simple and straightforward. He uses short, declarative sentences to convey his message, and he relies on repetition to reinforce his ideas.

The poem's language is emotive, and Yeats uses words and phrases that evoke strong emotions in the reader. For example, in the first stanza, he writes, "Dead men’s voices, lost hurrahs, / The stars of night that dance and dance." The use of the word "dead" and the image of "lost hurrahs" create a sense of loss and sadness.

Yeats also uses imagery to convey his message. For example, in the second stanza, he writes, "The drunken, vainglorious lads, / That give a theme to talk." The image of drunkenness and vainglory reinforces the idea that the Parnellites were misunderstood by their detractors.

Interpretation

"Come Gather Round Me, Parnellites" is a poignant and powerful poem that reflects on the struggle for Irish independence. The poem is a tribute to the Parnellites and the sacrifices they made for their cause.

The repetition of the first and last stanza emphasizes the ongoing nature of the struggle for Irish independence. Yeats believes that the Parnellites' sacrifices were not in vain, and that one day, Ireland will achieve its freedom.

The poem's language is emotive and powerful, and Yeats uses repetition and imagery to convey his message. He emphasizes the sacrifices made by the Parnellites and the challenges they faced in their fight for independence.

In conclusion, "Come Gather Round Me, Parnellites" is a beautiful and powerful poem that reflects on the struggle for Irish independence. Yeats' use of language and imagery creates a sense of emotion and depth, and his message of hope and sacrifice is timeless. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to convey important messages and inspire change.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Come Gather Round Me, Parnellites: An Analysis of Yeats' Classic Poem

William Butler Yeats is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, and his works continue to inspire and captivate readers today. Among his many famous poems is "Come Gather Round Me, Parnellites," a powerful and evocative piece that speaks to the political and social struggles of Ireland in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this classic poem, and examine how it reflects Yeats' own political and artistic beliefs.

The poem begins with a call to action, as the speaker urges his fellow Parnellites (members of the Irish Parliamentary Party) to gather around him and listen to his words. The tone is urgent and passionate, as the speaker implores his audience to "come fill up every glass" and "drink to Ireland free." This opening stanza sets the stage for the rest of the poem, which is a rallying cry for Irish independence and a condemnation of the British colonial system that has oppressed the Irish people for centuries.

Throughout the poem, Yeats uses vivid and evocative imagery to convey his message. He describes the "grey, dewy cobwebs" that hang from the trees, and the "pale, thin, face" of the moon that shines down on the gathering. These images create a sense of melancholy and foreboding, as if the speaker is aware of the challenges that lie ahead for the Irish people. Yet there is also a sense of hope and determination in the poem, as the speaker urges his audience to "rise up, little children" and "fight till the death or worse."

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of repetition and rhyme. The refrain "Come gather round me, Parnellites" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of unity and solidarity among the speaker and his audience. The rhyme scheme is also notable, as Yeats uses a combination of end rhymes and internal rhymes to create a musical and rhythmic effect. For example, in the second stanza, he writes:

"Come let us mock at the great That had such burdens on the mind And toiled so hard and late To leave some monument behind"

The repetition of the "at" sound in "mock at the great" and "monument behind" creates a sense of symmetry and balance, while also emphasizing the speaker's disdain for those who have oppressed the Irish people.

Another key element of the poem is its political and social commentary. Yeats was a staunch supporter of Irish independence, and his poetry often reflects his political beliefs. In "Come Gather Round Me, Parnellites," he condemns the British colonial system and the Irish politicians who have collaborated with it. He writes:

"Come let us mock at the Irishman Who drives his horses in the mist Or fishermen who sail Into the east"

Here, Yeats is criticizing the Irish people who have accepted their subjugation and have not fought for their freedom. He sees them as complicit in their own oppression, and urges his audience to reject this mentality and fight for their rights.

Finally, it is worth noting the role of the speaker in the poem. Yeats often used persona poems, in which he adopted the voice of a character or persona to convey his message. In "Come Gather Round Me, Parnellites," the speaker is a charismatic and passionate leader, urging his audience to action and inspiring them with his words. Yet there is also a sense of ambiguity about the speaker's identity. Is he a historical figure, such as Charles Stewart Parnell, the leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party? Or is he a fictional character created by Yeats to embody his own political beliefs? This ambiguity adds to the poem's power and resonance, as it allows readers to interpret the speaker's words in their own way.

In conclusion, "Come Gather Round Me, Parnellites" is a classic poem that speaks to the political and social struggles of Ireland in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Through its use of vivid imagery, repetition, and rhyme, it conveys a sense of urgency and passion, urging its audience to fight for their freedom and reject the colonial system that has oppressed them for centuries. It is a powerful and evocative work that continues to inspire and resonate with readers today.

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