'Parnell' by William Butler Yeats

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Parnell came down the road, he said to a cheering man:
'Ireland shall get her freedom and you still break stone.'

Editor 1 Interpretation

Parnell by William Butler Yeats: A Masterpiece of Political Poetry

As a lover of poetry, I have read countless works over the years. However, there are only a few that have truly stood out to me, and Parnell by William Butler Yeats is definitely one of them. This classic poem, first published in 1931, is a masterpiece of political poetry that still resonates with readers today.

The Historical Context

Before diving into the poem itself, it's important to understand the historical context in which it was written. Parnell refers to Charles Stewart Parnell, a prominent Irish nationalist leader in the late 19th century. Parnell fought for Irish Home Rule, which would give Ireland more autonomy from Great Britain. He was a charismatic and influential figure, but his career was destroyed by a scandalous affair with a married woman named Katherine O'Shea.

Parnell's downfall had a profound impact on Irish politics and the Irish nationalist movement. Yeats was deeply affected by it, as he was a supporter of Parnell and his cause. Parnell's fall from grace inspired Yeats to write this poem, which reflects on the tragedy of Parnell's life and the betrayal he experienced from his own people.

The Poem Itself

The poem is divided into six sections, each exploring a different aspect of Parnell's life and legacy. In the first section, Yeats describes Parnell as a man of great power and influence, whose voice could "shake the world." He also acknowledges Parnell's flaws, describing him as a man who was "imperfect" and "human." This sets the stage for the rest of the poem, which explores the contradictions of Parnell's life and legacy.

In the second section, Yeats describes the moment when Parnell's affair with Katherine O'Shea was exposed to the public. He portrays Parnell as a man who was "trapped in a snare" and betrayed by those who once supported him. Yeats also acknowledges the pain and suffering that Parnell's affair caused, not only for himself but for those who believed in him.

The third section explores the aftermath of Parnell's downfall. Yeats describes the way in which Parnell was "cast out" by his own people and left to die alone. He also reflects on the way in which Parnell's death was viewed by the Irish people, who saw him as a martyr for the cause of Irish Home Rule.

In the fourth section, Yeats reflects on the impact that Parnell's downfall had on Irish politics and society. He describes the way in which the Irish people were divided by Parnell's fall, with some viewing him as a hero and others as a traitor. Yeats also acknowledges the role that he himself played in these divisions, as a supporter of Parnell and his cause.

In the fifth section, Yeats reflects on the way in which Parnell's legacy was remembered by future generations. He describes the way in which Parnell was "forgotten" and his name "buried," but also acknowledges the way in which his memory was kept alive by those who continued to fight for Irish Home Rule.

Finally, in the sixth section, Yeats reflects on his own role in preserving Parnell's legacy. He describes the way in which he has tried to keep Parnell's memory alive through his poetry and acknowledges the way in which he has been influenced by Parnell's life and legacy.

The Poetic Techniques

One of the things that makes Parnell such a powerful poem is Yeats' use of poetic techniques. Throughout the poem, he uses imagery, symbolism, and metaphor to convey the tragedy of Parnell's life and legacy.

For example, in the second section, Yeats uses the metaphor of a "snare" to describe the way in which Parnell was trapped by his affair with Katherine O'Shea. This metaphor helps to convey the sense of betrayal and entrapment that Parnell must have felt.

In the third section, Yeats uses imagery to convey the loneliness and isolation that Parnell experienced in his final days. He describes Parnell as a man who was "alone with his secret," which helps to convey the sense of isolation and despair that he must have felt.

Finally, in the sixth section, Yeats uses symbolism to convey the importance of preserving Parnell's legacy. He describes Parnell's memory as a "flame" that must be kept alive, which helps to convey the sense of urgency and importance that Yeats attaches to this task.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Parnell by William Butler Yeats is a masterpiece of political poetry that still resonates with readers today. Through his use of poetic techniques, Yeats conveys the tragedy of Parnell's life and legacy, as well as the importance of preserving his memory. As a lover of poetry, I am grateful for the opportunity to read and appreciate such a powerful work of literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Parnell: A Masterpiece of Political Poetry by William Butler Yeats

William Butler Yeats, one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, was known for his profound and insightful poetry that explored themes of love, nature, and politics. Among his many works, "Parnell" stands out as a masterpiece of political poetry that captures the life and legacy of Charles Stewart Parnell, a prominent Irish nationalist leader in the late 19th century. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of "Parnell" and how it reflects Yeats' views on Irish nationalism and the struggle for independence.

The poem "Parnell" is a tribute to Charles Stewart Parnell, who was a key figure in the Irish Home Rule movement in the late 19th century. Parnell was a charismatic leader who fought for Irish independence from British rule and was instrumental in the passing of the Irish Land Act of 1881, which gave Irish tenants the right to buy their land from their landlords. However, his political career was cut short by a scandal involving his affair with Kitty O'Shea, the wife of a fellow MP. The scandal led to his downfall and the collapse of the Irish Home Rule movement.

Yeats' poem is a eulogy to Parnell, who he saw as a tragic hero and a symbol of Irish nationalism. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of Parnell's life and legacy. The first part, "I have met them at close of day," describes the poet's encounter with Parnell's followers, who are mourning his death. The second part, "The light of evening, Lissadell," is a reflection on Parnell's life and achievements. The third part, "The fools, the fools, the fools," is a condemnation of those who betrayed Parnell and the Irish cause.

The poem begins with the line "I have met them at close of day," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The poet is describing his encounter with Parnell's followers, who are gathered together to mourn his death. The use of the word "them" suggests that the poet is an outsider, observing the scene from a distance. The repetition of the phrase "close of day" creates a sense of finality and closure, as if the poet is witnessing the end of an era.

The second part of the poem, "The light of evening, Lissadell," is a reflection on Parnell's life and achievements. The poem is set in Lissadell, the ancestral home of the Gore-Booth family, who were prominent supporters of Parnell. The use of the phrase "the light of evening" suggests that Parnell's life was like a sunset, beautiful but fleeting. The poem describes Parnell as a "great man," who was "proud and gracious," and who "loved his country." The use of the word "gracious" suggests that Parnell was a noble and dignified figure, despite his flaws.

The poem also describes Parnell's achievements, such as his role in passing the Irish Land Act of 1881, which gave Irish tenants the right to buy their land from their landlords. The poem describes Parnell as a "man who had great gifts," who "gave all that he had," and who "fought like a lion." The use of the word "lion" suggests that Parnell was a fierce and courageous leader, who was willing to fight for his beliefs.

The third part of the poem, "The fools, the fools, the fools," is a condemnation of those who betrayed Parnell and the Irish cause. The poem describes those who betrayed Parnell as "fools," who "thought themselves wise," but who "had no thought of love." The use of the word "love" suggests that Parnell's cause was motivated by a deep sense of love for his country and his people, rather than by political ambition or personal gain.

The poem also describes the betrayal of Parnell as a tragedy, which has left the Irish people "broken-hearted." The use of the phrase "broken-hearted" suggests that the Irish people were deeply affected by Parnell's downfall, and that they felt a sense of loss and despair. The poem ends with the line "And I have no comforter," which suggests that the poet is also affected by Parnell's death, and that he feels a sense of helplessness and despair.

In terms of structure, "Parnell" is a lyric poem that consists of three stanzas, each of which has a different rhyme scheme. The first stanza has an ABAB rhyme scheme, the second stanza has an ABCCB rhyme scheme, and the third stanza has an ABAB rhyme scheme. The use of different rhyme schemes creates a sense of variation and complexity, and reflects the different moods and themes of each stanza.

The language of "Parnell" is rich and evocative, and reflects Yeats' mastery of poetic language. The poem is full of vivid imagery and metaphors, such as the description of Parnell as a "lion," and the use of the phrase "the light of evening" to describe his life. The use of repetition, such as the repetition of the phrase "the fools, the fools, the fools," creates a sense of emphasis and urgency, and reflects the poet's anger and frustration at the betrayal of Parnell.

In conclusion, "Parnell" is a masterpiece of political poetry that captures the life and legacy of Charles Stewart Parnell, a key figure in the Irish Home Rule movement. The poem is a eulogy to Parnell, who Yeats saw as a tragic hero and a symbol of Irish nationalism. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of Parnell's life and legacy. The language of the poem is rich and evocative, and reflects Yeats' mastery of poetic language. Overall, "Parnell" is a powerful and moving tribute to a great leader and a great cause.

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