Easter 1916 by W. B. Yeats
YEATS not Yates Remember that. Marks the transition Irish nationalist movement – strong folk tradition (Irish); independent of Great Britain (republic) W.r.t. revival of Ireland and its spirit Written after the Irish uprising of Easter 1916 Fiery spirit (Irish, not Hardy’s) About choosing roles in life – societal, macrocosmic pressures stronger than personal drive Personal choice subservient to social pressure Speaker indifferent at first but then realizes the enormity of what Ireland was trying to achieveContrast between pre- and post-uprising – all has changed Evolution – nation-public-common cause – how he changes through the poem Cursory nods show indifference which is later transformed into celebration and glorification Motley – grey – commonplace existence (no more nonchalance) Significance of "grey/Eighteenth century houses" http://www.enotes.com/topics/easter-1916/in-depth Countess Markievicz – sweet-voiced then shrill from shouting and fighti...