William Butler Yeats- The Alchemist of Symbolism.pptx

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1. Department of English Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University Date: 5 April 2024 Topic : Sem 2 | Batch 2023-25 William Butler Yeats: The Alchemist of Symbolism Presented by: Darshan Vagh

2. William Butler Yeats: The Alchemist of Symbolism

3. PERSONAL INFORMATION Presented By :- Darshan Vagh Roll No :- 5 Enrollment Number :- 5108230045 Semester :- 2 Paper No :- 106 Paper Name :- The Twentieth Century Literature: 1900 to World War II Presentation Topic :-William Butler Yeats: The Alchemist of Symbolism. Submitted To :- Smt. S.B. Gardi, Department of English (MKBU) Email ID :- [email protected]

4. TABLE OF CONTENTS What is Symbolism 02 01 04 03 Yeats and the Irish Literary Revival 05 06 Recurring Symbols in Yeats’ Poetry Yeats’ Legacy References A bout W.B.Yeats

5. A Brief Overview of W.B.Yeats Born in 1865, William Butler Yeats was an Irish poet. He won the Nobel Prize. Yeats is a significant figure in 20th-century literature. Known for his symbolic and mystical themes, he was instrumental in the Irish literary revival. 1. "The Tower" (1928) 2. "The Wild Swans at Coole" (1919) 3. "The Second Coming" (1921) 4. "A Vision" (1925) Key works:

6. What is Symbolism? Symbolism is a literary technique that uses concrete objects or ideas to represent abstract ideas or emotions. Symbols can be layered with meaning, inviting interpretation from the reader. Symbolism is a hallmark of modernist poetry, and Yeats is considered a key figure in this movement. The importance of symbolism in modern literature is emphasized, with many deep thinkers exploring the philosophy of poetry through symbols.

7. Continue Criticism of the notion that serious artists shouldn't have a philosophy or theory about their art is discussed, using examples like Wagner's meticulous planning before creating music. It is argued that understanding the philosophy or critical aspects of art is crucial for artists to bring out their most powerful inspirations from divine or hidden truths. ( Yeats)

8. William Butler Yeats: The Master of Symbols W.B. Yeats, a famous poet, used symbols a lot in his poems to talk about deep and mysterious ideas, influenced by French symbolism. He was proud of being Irish and used his Nobel Prize to show Ireland's cultural independence and nationalism. In his poems like "The Second Coming" and "Byzantium," Yeats used symbols like the moon and golden bird to talk about big ideas like life and death.

9. Continue Yeats believed that poetry should sound good and use symbols to make people think about different meanings. Through his poems, Yeats explored how people try to find meaning in life and how they connect with things beyond just the physical world. Symbols like the "gyre" in his poem "The Second Coming" represent big ideas about chaos and change, showing how skilled he was at using symbols in his writing. ( Chauhan)

10. Yeats and the Irish Literary Revival Yeats was a central figure in the Irish Literary Revival, a movement that sought to create a distinct Irish national literature. He drew inspiration from Irish mythology, folklore, and history. This cultural heritage provided a rich source of symbolism for his poetry. The Irish Literary Revival aimed to counter the dominance of British culture in Ireland. Yeats turned to Irish myths and legends, finding in them a wellspring of potent symbols that resonated with the Irish identity. These symbols, such as the Cuchulain cycle and the stories of Finn Mac Cumhail, became building blocks for his poetic exploration of Irishness.

11. These are just a few of the many symbols that Yeats employs throughout his career. By revisiting these symbols in different poems, Yeats creates a rich tapestry of meaning. Recurring Symbols in Yeats’ Poetry The Rose The Tower The Gyre The Mask

12. Continue The Rose: Often represents beauty, love, and passion, but can also symbolize fleeting youth and lost innocence. The Tower: Can represent solitude, strength, and isolation, but also a place of refuge and contemplation. The Gyre: A double cone representing the cyclical nature of history and life. The Mask: Represents the hidden self, performance, and artifice. ( Bakhshilloyevna)

13. “The Second Coming” One of Yeats’ most famous poems, filled with potent symbolism. The “slouching beast” symbolizes the decline of civilization and the coming of a new era. The gyre represents the cyclical nature of history, suggesting that chaos will eventually give way to order. The poem’s imagery is both terrifying and exhilarating, capturing the anxieties and hopes of the early 20th century. ( Rout)

14. Conclusion Yeats is a great symbolist poet in English literature. He uses symbols a lot in his poems, making the words more meaningful and deep. Understanding his poetry means understanding the symbols he uses. He takes everyday things and gives them special meanings. Unlike some poets, he keeps using and building on his symbols, making them have many meanings in different poems. Knowing Yeats' symbols is like knowing Yeats himself because he reveals himself through these symbols.

15. References Bakhshilloyevna, Khamdamova Sitora, and Yusupova Hilola Uktamovna. "SYMBOLISM IN WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS’ POETRY." Central Asian Journal of Literature, Philosophy and Culture 2.5 (2021): 131-135. https://cajlpc.centralasianstudies.org/index.php/CAJLPC/article/download/140/122 . Accessed March 27, 2024. Chauhan, Vidhu. "William Butler Yeats: The master of symbols." Research Journal of English Language and Literature 1.3 (2013): 144-147. http://www.rjelal.com/RJELAL%20VOL.1.ISSUE.3/Vidhu%20Chuhan%20144-147.pdf . Accessed March 28, 2024.

16. Dash, Bipin Bihari. "Symbolism in WB Yeats Poetry: A Critical Study." International Journal of English and Other Studies 4.3 (2019): 29-34. https://www.ijoes.in/papers/v4i3/7.IJOES-Dr.Bipin(29-34).pdf . Accessed March 27, 2024. Rout, BikramKeshari, et al. "Treatment of Symbolism in Yeats’s Poetry." International Journal of Contemporary Educational Research, vol. 7, no. 2, 2020, pp. 66-69. http://www.ijceronline.com/papers/Vol7_issue2/I07026669.pdf . Accessed March 27, 2024. Yeats, William Butler. "The Symbolism of Poetry." Essays and Introductions. London: Palgrave Macmillan UK, 1961. 153-164. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-349-00618-2_10 . . . Accessed March 27, 2024.