Der Essay behandelt die schwierige Situation des jungen Yeats zwischen Literatur und Politik der 1890er Jahre in Irland.
Table of Contents
1. Defining the Early Period (1885-1902)
2. The Influence of John O'Leary and the Search for National Identity
3. Subject-Matter and the Synthesis of Historicism and Heroism
4. Experimentation with Prose: The Case of Dhoya
5. Transcendentalism and The Lake Isle of Innisfree
6. Dramatic Works and the Symbolism of Cathleen ni Houlihan
7. The Last Romantic: Balancing Patriotism and Aestheticism
Objectives and Topics
This essay explores the complex tension between political patriotism and aestheticism within W. B. Yeats's early literary career, examining how he synthesized Irish mythology with Romantic ideals to define his artistic identity.
- The evolution of Yeats's early style from 1885 to 1902.
- The impact of Irish mentors and history on the development of a national literature.
- The blending of traditional mythology and Romantic aestheticism in prose and poetry.
- The shift toward overt national symbolism in his dramatic works.
- The transition from a balanced artistic perspective toward a more exclusive, elite theatre.
Excerpt from the Book
The Influence of John O'Leary and the Search for National Identity
As a sudden, Yeats found the subject-matter for his work. In the aftermath of these encounters Yeats focused more and more on the shaping of a national literature, which would function as a unifying entity in the political struggle of Ireland for freedom. Once Yeats had a certain ideal in mind he made intensive use of recent publications in Irish history like Standish O’Grady’s History of Ireland (1878) and his later personal relationships with foremost representatives of the Irish Literary Revival like Thomas William Haze Rolleston and Lady Augusta Gregory. “Irishness” became a new key-term in Yeats’s vocabulary:
[...] and might we not make those stories current among the educated classes, rediscovering for the work’s sake what I have called “the applied arts of literature”, the association of literature, that is, with music dance; and at last, it might be, so deepen the political passion of the nation that all, artist and poet, craftsman and day-labourer would accept a common design?
Summary of Chapters
Defining the Early Period (1885-1902): This chapter establishes the chronological framework of Yeats's early career, identifying his apprenticeship as concluding with the 1902 premiere of his play.
The Influence of John O'Leary and the Search for National Identity: This section details how Yeats's mentorship under John O'Leary shifted his focus toward shaping a national literature to serve the Irish struggle for freedom.
Subject-Matter and the Synthesis of Historicism and Heroism: This chapter analyzes Yeats's worldview, shaped by O'Grady and Lady Gregory, which emphasized the importance of a unique, non-utilitarian Irish cultural heritage.
Experimentation with Prose: The Case of Dhoya: This section explores Yeats's foray into the short-story genre as both a financial necessity and an opportunity to blend Irish mythology with Romanticism.
Transcendentalism and The Lake Isle of Innisfree: This chapter discusses how the poem reflects a longing for Irish roots and an exploration of Thoreau-inspired transcendentalism.
Dramatic Works and the Symbolism of Cathleen ni Houlihan: This part examines Yeats’s use of explicit national symbolism and the concept of martyrdom in his most successful early play.
The Last Romantic: Balancing Patriotism and Aestheticism: This concluding chapter reflects on Yeats's ultimate choice to move away from populist politics toward an elite theatre, marking the end of his early stylistic phase.
Keywords
W. B. Yeats, Aestheticism, Patriotism, Irish Literary Revival, Cathleen ni Houlihan, John O'Leary, Romanticism, National Literature, Irish Mythology, Dhoya, The Lake Isle of Innisfree, Symbolism, Modernism, Identity, Celtic Movement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
The essay explores the interaction and tension between political patriotism and aestheticism in W. B. Yeats's early writing, spanning from 1885 to 1902.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
Key themes include the construction of Irish identity, the use of mythology in literature, the role of the artist in society, and the influence of early mentors on Yeats's creative direction.
What is the primary research goal of the author?
The objective is to analyze how Yeats attempted to "dance an elaborate gavotte" between his duty to Irish national causes and his pursuit of pure aesthetic beauty.
Which methodology does the text employ?
The author uses biographical accounts, primary literary texts (autobiographies and essays), and contemporary critical references to track the evolution of Yeats's style and philosophy.
What topics are covered in the main body of the work?
The body covers Yeats’s early poetry, his transition into prose with Dhoya, the significance of The Lake Isle of Innisfree, and his later shift toward symbolic, nationalistic drama.
Which keywords best characterize this study?
The study is best characterized by terms such as Yeats, Aestheticism, Patriotism, Irish Literary Revival, and National Literature.
How did John O’Leary shape Yeats's worldview?
John O'Leary served as a mentor who introduced Yeats to Irish history and literature, helping him shift his focus from pure Romanticism toward the creation of a unified, national literary identity.
What significance did Cathleen ni Houlihan hold for Yeats's career?
It marked a rare instance where Yeats prioritized political patriotism over aesthetic considerations, achieving massive popularity but also signaling a turning point where he sought a more elite, less mass-driven theatrical style.
- Citar trabajo
- Markus Büssecker (Autor), 2007, Essay on William Butler Yeats, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/88578
