In the third stanza Yeats brings up the deaths of three famous Irish nationalists. Each died from a public-ordered execution or actions taken to avoid it. Yeats also comments on the up rise of individuals who objected to Parnell’s relationship with Katherine O’Shea. This “hysterica passio” was the cause of his political decline. Yeats refers to Parnell as a quarry, perhaps as a rich source of Irish nationalism and hope. Yeats continues almost bitterly in the next stanza with accusations for who was responsible for Parnell’s death – “Fix upon me that accusing eye. I thirst for accusation.” Throughout the piece Yeats continually alludes to a “we” and an “I” – the individuals who lost their support for Parnell - as being responsible for his death.
Yeats ends the poem in a way that is striking due to its lack of continuity with the rest of the poem. In terms of style and layout, Yeats has the first three quarters of the poem in seven or eight line stanzas. The final quarter, however, is broken up in to three four line stanzas.
In addition, in the last three stanzas Yeats quickly fires off the names of several famous individuals involved in Irish politics. He throws out several “ifs” and “hads,” contemplating what would have happened had Parnell been brought down by one specific individual, not by many of his former supporters.
Parnell’s Funeral is not only a commentary and description of the memorial service, but it also serves as a vehicle for Yeats’ bitterness, confusion, and frustration with the falling of Ireland’s “Uncrowned King.”
In what sounds like more of a beautifully written motivational speech than a typical W.B. Yeats poem, Come Gather Round Me Parnellites is a call to supporters of the long dead Irish politician. In the poem, published 47 years after Parnell’s death, Yeats is asking “Parnellites” to “praise our chosen man,” “stand upright while you can,” and “pass the bottle round” in celebration of Parnell’s life and impact.
In his poem, Yeats extols Parnell’s efforts for Home Rule and helping the poor and destitute in Ireland. Listing everything from fighting the English to Parnell’s love of his fellow man, Yeats is able to create a poetic memorial piece in honor of Parnell.
The poem, in four stanzas, is a celebration of Charles Parnell. The first three stanzas eulogize Parnell’s efforts on behalf of the Irish nationalist party. The final stanza, however, does not seem to flow as well as the first three. The fourth stanza simply recounts Parnell’s political decline and those who betrayed him. Though this stanza does not seem to exalt Parnell as a political hero and martyr as the first three stanzas do, Yeats is still able to leave the reader with the idea that the poem is a celebration of Parnell’s life.
He is able to do so by tying all four stanzas together in the last line or two of each. The first and third stanzas are linked with similar lines; “And pass the bottle round,” “So pass the bottle round.” He is also able to do this with the second and fourth stanzas; “That Parnell loved a lass,” “And Parnell loved his lass.” As a result, the reader ends the poem thinking not of Parnell’s demise (as is done in Parnell’s Funeral), but instead of all the great efforts Parnell made on Ireland’s behalf.
At only two lines, Parnell is one of Yeats’ shortest poems. It is also, however, one of the most powerful comments on politics. “Parnell came down the road, he said to a cheering man, / Ireland shall get her freedom and you still break stone.” In the two lines Yeats expresses not only his, but also presumably Charles Parnell’s cynical thoughts on the effects of Irish independence. Though Ireland may get the independence it has been fighting for, not all of the economic, social, and political problems will evaporate along with English rule.
In addition, the poem not only comments on politics, but Charles Parnell also, hence the name of the poem. One of the strongest ideas conveyed through the poem is that Parnell was not an idealist; he understood the possible effects of Irish independence. He knew what he was fighting for.
Though W.B. Yeats is known primarily for his beautifully written poetry and his obsession with Maude Gonne, Yeats poems are also filled with political commentary.
Be it on the life and death of one of the most famous Irish nationalist leaders, or a subtle cynical attack at the fight for Irish independence, Yeats proves that he has much to say when it comes to politics. W.B. Yeats successfully moves from the realm of love poems and “veils of the morning,” to become a poetic politician.