Fight For Irish Independence And Ireland example essay topic

William Butler Yeats fought for Irish Independence through his writing his entire life. The Abbey theatre became one of his most effective weapons in Yeats's war against the English colonial force. People would not only attend the theatre to experience Yeats's plays, going to the theatre became a political statement, like playing the Irish game hurling instead of the popular English sport soccer. Of all the plays performed at the Abbey Theatre, once known as the National Theatre for Irish Independence, Cathleen ni Houlihan illustrated Yeats's opinions on the plague of the English in Ireland.

By analyzing Yeats's physical depiction, dialogue of Cathleen ni Houlihan as a figure of Ireland, the readers gain insight into Yeats's image of his captive country Ireland. From the descriptions of the other people you can infer that the old woman is a symbolic representation of Ireland. Yeats originally depicts Cathleen as a feeble woman that people pity. The family describes the woman as poor, old, and strange upon seeing her walking up their path.

Yeats describes the state of Ireland under English rule through the family's illustration of Cathleen. Michael would "sooner a stranger not to come to the house the night before [his] wedding", although Michael's concern quickly disappears as he talks to the old woman (136). Yeats's demonstrates that to the young men the idea of an independent Ireland is foreign. Once the young men understand the nationalistic cause, they rally to fight.

Though Cathleen is described as physically unattractive, the Romanticism of the men that have fought for her and the mystical ballads that were written for her lure men to her valiant cause. Michael is enamored with the old woman as he continues to move closer and faller deeper into a hypnotic state. The beginning of the play introduces the family's new found wealth and good fortune, especially Michael who is preparing to marry a rich woman and receive a large dowry. Yeats's gives the family the life they always wanted to emphasize the seductive nature of the old woman. The fact that they have not always been a wealthy family plays an important role. The marriage of Michael to Delia Cahel is the opportunity that will make life easier for the family.

The Cahels are an ancient prominent family originating in Galway. Unfortunately, if Michael decides to fight for Cathleen, he will not marry Delia; therefore, the sacrifice Michael makes is greater than the sacrifice of a person who has always been rich or someone that was not in the position to make their family's dreams come true. Delia even comes to the house, she represents the tangible chance at a great life. Michael has to physically remove his arm from hers, signifying the break in the relationship, to go to fight for the Irish.

The cause is so worthy that Cathleen can even entice a man who has a great life ahead of him into fighting to free Ireland. The dialogue of Cathleen ni Houlihan also reveals her representation of Ireland. Cathleen's first line "God save all here" contrasts the English welcoming God save the Queen (136). The English royalty are responsible for the occupation of Ireland.

Cathleen infers from English oppression in her welcoming blessing. Cathleen then refers to "a hard wind outside" which symbolizes the country being stirred up in preparation to fight (136). The wind represents the change that is about to occur in Ireland. Cathleen assures the family that although her "feet are tired and [her] hands are quiet... there is no quiet in [her] heart" (156).

Yeats exemplifies that the Irish cause may not always be at the forefront, but the passion still burns inside many a breast. Yeats's also exhibits that the cause is ineffective by itself. The old woman cannot fight to free herself from the "strangers in the house" (136). Cathleen "must be talking to [her] friends" who are the only people that can actually fight off the English and win Independence (136).

The old woman began wandering to find people to free her four green fields, which represent the four provinces of Ireland: Ulster, Munster, Leinster, and Ulster. When asked if she heard the loud noise the family had been trying to figure out since the beginning of the story, Cathleen said it was the noise she "used to here when [her] friends came to visit her", which reveals that men are gathering to fight for her cause. The manner in which Delia describes what Michael has to endure would keep Navy Seals from joining this fight. They have to give up everything to fight for her, almost any chance of happiness in order to gain the greatest happiness, independence. This cause reveals deep socialistic undertones by its concern for the country of Ireland over the individual.

The last line the old woman utters after leaving to join her army is "they shall be speaking forever, the people shall hear them for ever" (140). Being a Romantic, Yeats's glorifies the act of fighting for a cause greater than oneself. According to Yeats's dying for Ireland is equivalent to living forever. Cathleen ni Houlihan becomes beautiful again after Michael joins her army. Michael represents the entire army, and Cathleen's beauty parallels the strength of the Irish cause. Yeats leaves the reader to believe that if Ireland united and fought against England, they would be free.

Through the character of the old woman, Cathleen ni Houlihan, Yeats's exemplifies the fight for Irish Independence and Ireland itself. Yeats uses the other characters perceptions as well as Cathleen's dialogue to personify his b William Butler Yeats fought for Irish Independence through his writing his entire life. Yeats uses the other characters perceptions as well as Cathleen's dialogue to personify his belief in the Irish cause. I find it interesting to consider how deeply this affected the actual Irish independence decades later?

Yeats, William Butler". Cathleen ni Houlihan". Ed. P ethica, James. Yeats's Poetry, Drama, and Prose. New York, NY; W.W. Norton Company, 2000.