William Butler Yeats, resistance, and Ireland

Syed Khwaja Moinul Hassan, Purdue University

Abstract

This dissertation advances the idea that Yeats as a writer was in a continuous mode of resistance and therefore the characters of his plays and poems, even the persona in his letters, are mostly framed in a combative role. The project argues that because of the complex socio-political climate of Ireland under colonialism, Yeats faced opposition from all quarters and consequently resisted each one of them. Chapter One examines the paradoxes in both Yeats and Ireland, and explains that a closer analysis not only resolves these contradictions but shows that both Yeats and Ireland are united in their struggle for independence against colonial England. This chapter argues that notwithstanding all his differences with his Irish contemporaries, Yeats is committed to the cause of Ireland's freedom. Chapter Two discusses the varieties of resistance in Yeats: social, intellectual and political. It shows that by his very nature Yeats was a man of independent thinking and always reacted to force and questioned everything which, at that moment, appeared to be oppressive to him. His combative mood that resulted in his various quarrels has been misunderstood by critics. This chapter argues that all of Yeats's resistance, even those against the Irish nationalists or the general public, are patriotic in nature. Chapter Three traces the Irishness in Yeats. It argues that as an Irish nationalist Yeats opposed all those forces that undercut national pride; therefore the doubts raised against his patriotism are absolutely not justified. Yeats's solidarity with the Irish people make him a part of the colonized world and therefore the fight for freedom is both personal and national. Chapter Four makes an analysis of the politics of Yeats and his poetry of resistance. The first part looks into his politics and poetry prior to 1916 and the latter part examines the bitter transformation in both his politics and poetry after the Easter Rising of 1916. Chapter Five shows that Yeats's political commitment to Ireland finds expression in all his writings: essays, prose, plays, letters, speeches and above all his poetry. Like most anti-colonial writers, Yeats's resistance is his protest against the evils of colonialism in private and public life.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Rowe, Purdue University.

Subject Area

British and Irish literature|Biographies

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