Poem Analysis - September

Introduction: Lament for a Lost Ideal

William Butler Yeats's "September" is a lament for the fading of Irish romantic idealism in the face of a perceived descent into petty materialism. The poem evokes a sense of disillusionment and frustration, tinged with both anger and a reluctant acceptance of the present reality. Its tone is predominantly mournful, yet punctuated by moments of sharp criticism and a yearning for a heroic past. The repetition of the final line reinforces a feeling of finality and loss.

The Ghost of O'Leary: Historical and Personal Context

Understanding the historical context deepens the poem's impact. John O'Leary, mentioned in the recurring refrain, was a prominent Fenian, an Irish Republican dedicated to achieving independence from British rule. Yeats admired O'Leary's unwavering dedication to Irish nationalism, seeing him as a symbol of a bygone era of passionate commitment. Yeats himself, though a poet and playwright, was deeply involved in the Irish Literary Revival, an attempt to revitalize Irish culture and identity, which further informs the poem's sentiments of cultural loss.

From Heroism to Halfpence: The Erosion of Ideals

One of the central themes is the contrast between heroic idealism and mundane materialism. The first stanza immediately sets this up, questioning what purpose there is in becoming "come to sense" if it only leads to obsessively accumulating wealth ("fumble in a greasy till," "add the halfpence to the pence"). This imagery directly clashes with the sacrifices made by the Irish patriots mentioned later in the poem. The poem suggests that the relentless pursuit of wealth has suffocated the spirit of self-sacrifice and national pride that once defined "Romantic Ireland."

Sacrifice and Futility: The Price of Freedom

The theme of sacrifice, and perhaps its futility, is another key element. Stanzas two and three list historical figures such as Edward Fitzgerald, Robert Emmet, and Wolfe Tone – all Irish revolutionaries who died for their cause. The rhetorical questions posed in the third stanza, "Was it for this that all that blood was shed?" highlight the speaker's doubt and disappointment. The phrase "delirium of the brave" suggests a questioning of whether these sacrifices were ultimately worth it, especially given the current state of affairs. The poem grapples with the heavy cost of striving for ideals, especially when those ideals appear to have been abandoned.

The Maddening Yellow Hair: Love, Loss, and Nationalism

The poem also subtly explores the relationship between love, loss, and nationalism. The line, "Some woman's yellow hair / Has maddened every mother's son," suggests that romantic love, perhaps an idealized and consuming passion, played a role in motivating these revolutionaries. It implies that personal emotions and attachments, as much as political conviction, drove their actions. This line presents a unique and potentially cynical perspective: perhaps these men were not driven by pure patriotism, but by a kind of romantic infatuation that led to their downfall. It poses the question: was their sacrifice truly born of clear-eyed devotion to Ireland, or something more complex and less rational?

Wind and Bone: Imagery of Loss and Decay

Recurring images in the poem contribute to its overall message of decay and loss. The revolutionaries are described as having "gone about the world like wind," evoking a sense of fleeting presence and eventual disappearance. The "wind" image symbolizes their influence, yet also their ephemeral nature. In stark contrast is the image of "dried the marrow from the bone," symbolizing the draining of life and spirit from Ireland, leaving behind only a hollow shell. These images reinforce the poem's lament for a lost era and a diminished national identity.

Conclusion: A Requiem for Romantic Ireland

"September" functions as a requiem for a romanticized vision of Ireland, embodied by figures like John O'Leary. Yeats uses vivid imagery and rhetorical questions to express his disappointment with the perceived materialism of his present day, contrasting it with the passionate sacrifices of past generations. The poem ultimately leaves the reader with a sense of profound loss and a lingering question: what becomes of a nation when its ideals are abandoned for the pursuit of worldly gain?