Theme and Form in the Work of W.B.Yeats 1935-1939

Abstract

<p>In this thesis I have aimed to establish certain thematic and formal emphases in the work of W.B. Yeats during the last four years of his life. The variety of Yeats's interest in these years was as great as in any other period of his life; I have chosen to explore those interests which brought him into contact closely with public concerns and with other writers. Thus I deal with Yeats as a political philosopher and patriot, RS a founder of the Irish Academy of Letters, as a broadcaster, as editor of an important verse anthology and as a correspondent on poetry with a fellow poet. By quoting widely from primary sources I have tried to allow Yeats to explain himself My purpose has been historical exploration rather than literary criticism, and so my approach is geared strongly to biography and bibliography especially in the first two chapters. The picture of Yeats to emerge will be that of a poet strongly traditional in his views of politics and aesthetics, defining his world view sharply in all his work. Although 1 concentrate on Yeats in all aspects as an Irish writer, for him Ireland was of course a rnicrocosm of Europe and the modern world.<br /><br /> Chapter One begins from a point strictly outside the chronology of the thesis in order to present necessary introductory material; it explores the nature of Yeats's patriotism and his political views, demonstrating his intense concern for the Irish nation as it defined itself in a world troubled by crisis. Chapter Two deals with Yeats as a discursive theorist on modern poetry and the lyric, much concerned with the problem of poetry as a public art. Thr following chapter turns attention to textual natters; although I have called it “ The Imagery of Music” it also explores briefly aspects of Yeats's late lyrical technique including his use of refrain in poems. Chapter Four completes the study by examining the two last plays in terms of the material of the preceding chapters. I must emphasise that my interest is not primarily critical. There are many books and articles which treat the plays in literary critical terms or as objects for dramatic form, dealing essentially with the familiar material of Yeats's lat period.<br /><br /> I find that the predominant theme of the late Yeats is the ideal character of Ireland, its love of individuality and heroism. The predominant formal preoccupation is with traditional poetry, the folk song and the ballad. All of Yeats's work – poetry, plays and prose works – considered together, illuminates these preoccupations.</p>