Four Years: Exploring Irish Nationalism and Revolution Through Symbolism and Poetry
W. B. Yeats
Dec 2019 · Good Press
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142
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About this ebook
W. B. Yeats'Äôs "Four Years" presents a deeply reflective collection of poems that capture the tumultuous interplay between personal experience and political upheaval, particularly in the context of early 20th-century Ireland. Written amid the complex backdrop of the Irish War of Independence and the subsequent civil unrest, Yeats employs a lyrical style imbued with symbolic resonance and rich imagery. This work showcases his mastery of form, blending traditional verse with modernist themes, leaving the reader to navigate the emotional terrain of love, loss, and national identity while grappling with philosophical questions about destiny and time. W. B. Yeats, a prominent figure in the Irish Literary Revival, was significantly influenced by the cultural and political currents of his time, which shaped both his poetic vision and his deep engagement with mythology and folklore. His involvement in the Irish nationalist movement and his subsequent disillusionment are poignantly echoed in "Four Years," where his personal attachments reflect larger societal fractures. This tension between personal and collective experience informs much of Yeats's poetic discourse, revealing his foresight into the complexities of post-colonial identity. Readers who appreciate intricate constructions of language and compelling explorations of the human condition will find "Four Years" to be a profound meditation on the intersection of the personal and the political. As Yeats confronts the passage of time with poignant urgency, this work remains essential for those seeking to understand not only the nuances of Irish history but also the universal quest for meaning amid chaos.
About the author
William Butler Yeats was born in Dublin, Ireland on June 13, 1865. He was a driving force behind the Irish Literary Revival and, along with Lady Gregory, Edward Martyn, and others, founded the Abbey Theatre, where he served as its chief playwright until the movement was joined by John Synge. Yeats' plays included The Countess Cathleen, The Land of Heart's Desire, Cathleen ni Houlihan, The King's Threshold, and Deirdre. Although a convinced patriot, Yeats deplored the hatred and the bigotry of the Nationalist movement, and his poetry is full of moving protests against it. He was appointed to the Irish Senate in 1922. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923 for what the Nobel Committee described as "inspired poetry, which in a highly artistic form gives expression to the spirit of a whole nation." He is one of the few writers who completed their greatest works after being awarded the Nobel Prize. His poetry collections include The Wild Swans at Coole, Michael Robartes and the Dancer, The Tower, The Winding Stair and Other Poems, and Last Poems and Plays. He died on January 28, 1939 at the age of 73.
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