Bittersweet Ripple

From out of the Easter Rising of 1916, the desire for Irish independence was reborn. As with the harsh reaction by the British and the deaths by firing squad of 15 leaders of the Irish nationalist movement, thereby making them martyrs of the cause, Yeats sees this and knows it for what it is; “A terrible beauty is born.” And like a stone tossed into a pond the ripples of discontent spread rapidly. Out of this “terrible” act by both parties the “beauty” or ideal of Irish Independence is reborn and revisited. The deaths of the nationalist leaders, who Yeats knew, intensify the drive for independence and become a rallying cry for those who become involved. Irish independence is closer at hand, but has become more bittersweet with the knowledge of those deaths and the possibility of more. Yeats who was a nationalist, but did not agree with the use of violence, sees that he, the Irish public and those that died are one and the same. With their deaths, there are changes within him and with the public at large. Once started, the ripples cannot be stopped, diverted maybe but never stopped. And the idea of the Irish Free State spreads across the pond carried by that bittersweet ripple.