How does Yeats present the role of the artist in ‘The Fisherman’?

1.Fisherman = represents artistic ideals in his simplicity

Described as simple ‘grey Connemara clothes’ = no complications

So here grey = blank canvas onto which we can write our own identity? Like ‘B Dreams = he has to re-write Maud

OR is one being negative and one positive? Ageing vs simplicity

Poetic sincerity

Link through the adjective ‘ grey’ as associated with wisdom

‘Wise’ and ‘simple’ together = one explains the others = he is wise because he is simple and does not desire things that are unnecessary

2. Wisdom of the artist = reflected through the skill of the fisherman

‘And the downturn of his wrist’ = only poly word in this is ‘downturn’ put emphasis on the precision of the action required.

Fisherman is independent = doesn’t rely on the ‘sages’ to save him as Yeats does in Sailing to B. Finds spiritual solace on his own = poet as isolated figure commenting on society

3. The fisherman embodies Romantic Ideals and the Romantics’ view of the poet and of poetry?

‘Cold and passionate as the dawn’ = new life and fresh creativity… never ending… new and simple = truthful

How does Yeats present the theme of mortality in ‘Among School Children’?

1. As he gets older = plays a role. Fake? Scarecrow ‘old clothes upon old sticks to scare a bird’? Empty? Insubstantial? ‘60 year old smiling public man’ (syndetic = no conjunction to bring relief… unfinished… still waiting.

2. Rhyme scheme = starts to break as his sense of self starts to fracture. Seems too easy ‘neat in everything’ = all too easy and they think that they have the answers = like rhyme scheme = all very ordered and purposeful but then breaks down sa he ages and reflects on what he is and who he has become.

3. How can you judge life when you are a part of it…? Paradox (dancer and dance)

4. Yoke = separates his mind and soul = like M + echo = the two are divided

Our gem techniques:

Plosive and sibilant sounds (words can have a sibilant start and a plosive end e.g secret)

Syntax – what is at the start or the end = why?

Mono-syllabic and poly-syllabic words = any patterns? To control the pace or tone?

Lists – asyn or syn

Form – reflects meaning… shattering rhyme scheme as his confidence fails?

The poem open as Yeats writes that ‘

As the poem develops, Yeats…

Towards the end/To conclude the poem, Yeats…