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The Wind That Shakes the Barley Poem Analysis

Rebellion and Sorrow: Analyzing "The Wind That Shakes the Barley" by Robert Dwyer JoyceIntroduction

"The Wind That Shakes the Barley" is an Irish ballad written by Robert Dwyer Joyce, an Irish poet and songwriter, in the 19th century. The poem is set during the Irish Rebellion of 1798 and explores themes of love, loss, and the struggle for freedom. As a powerful and evocative portrayal of the human cost of rebellion and the sacrifices made for a greater cause, "The Wind That Shakes the Barley" has become a symbol of Irish resistance and nationalism. In this article, we will analyze "The Wind That Shakes the Barley," exploring its themes, structure, and imagery to better understand its portrayal of love, loss, and the personal impact of rebellion.

Structure and Form

"The Wind That Shakes the Barley" is composed of six stanzas, each containing four lines. The poem follows a regular rhyme scheme of ABAB, providing a sense of rhythm and structure that complements its narrative-driven style. The poem's structure also contributes to its storytelling quality, allowing Joyce to effectively convey the emotions and experiences of the protagonist:

"I sat within the valley green, I sat me with my true love,

My sad heart strove the two between, the old love and the new love,

The old for her, the new that made me think on Ireland dearly,

While soft the wind blew down the glade and shook the golden barley."

Themes: Love, Loss, and the Struggle for Freedom

At its core, "The Wind That Shakes the Barley" is an exploration of the themes of love, loss, and the struggle for freedom. The poem tells the story of a young Irishman torn between his love for a woman and his duty to join the rebellion against British rule:

"’Twas hard the woeful words to frame to break the ties that bound us,

But harder still to bear the shame of foreign chains around us;

And so I said, 'The mountain glen I'll seek at morning early,

And join the brave United Men, while soft winds shake the barley.'"

The poem also delves into themes of loss and the sacrifices made for the greater cause of freedom:

"’Tis vain for man to labour, love, or sorrow interfere with duty;

The patriot's heart for all but this grows weak and strangely weary;

Still whispers in that heart the wind that shakes the golden barley."

Imagery and Symbolism

"The Wind That Shakes the Barley" is rich in vivid imagery and symbolism that serve to heighten the emotional impact of the poem and underscore its themes. Joyce employs the imagery of the Irish countryside, with its valleys, glens, and the eponymous barley, to emphasize the deep connection between the land and the people who fight for its freedom:

"While soft the wind blew down the glade and shook the golden barley."

The poem also makes use of symbolism to explore themes of love, loss, and the struggle for freedom. The wind that shakes the barley serves as a powerful symbol of the forces of change and the sacrifices made in the pursuit of a greater cause:

"For slavery fled, O glorious dead, when you fell in the foggy dew,

Right proudly high over Dublin town, they hung out the flag of war;

'Twas better to die 'neath an Irish sky, than at Suvla or Sud-El-Bar,

And from the plains of Royal Meath, strong men came hurrying through,

While Britannia's Huns, with their long-range guns, sailed in through the foggy dew."

Conclusion

Robert Dwyer Joyce's "The Wind That Shakes the Barley" is a powerful