Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

1999

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Peyton, Ann

Thesis/Dissertation Co-Chair

Faraci, Mary

Abstract

William Butler Yeats directed much of his poetry to the construction of the antithetical or perfect man which he defined as "being most unlike myself" (Allt 371). Yeats also wanted to see Ireland reach this condition. He presented heroes from Irish mythology his contemporaries, and imaginatively created figures who had the strength of character to accomplish a new and self identifiable culture. Yeats wanted Ireland and its citizens to become a modern day "Byzantium" of his classical reference. From his own fishing experience Yeats created the fly fisherman, an image who Yeats saw as "Climbing up to a place ... A man who does not exist ... A man who is but a dream"(Allt 348). In this figure Yeats incorporates his thoughts concerning the value of antithesis, religion, philosophy, nationalism and the concept of the mask. This thesis will propose that the fisherman and his activities are metaphorical applications of Yeats's search for antithesis whether it be for himself, mankind or his country.

Extent

78 p.

Comments

Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1999.|Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters

Identifier

FADT15617

Format

pdf

Download

Share

COinS