The Great Day
By William Butler Yeats
Hurrah for revolution and more cannon-shot!
A beggar upon horseback lashes a beggar on foot.
Hurrah for revolution and cannon come again !
The beggars have changed places, but the lash goes on.
Poem Analysis:
The Great Day by William Butler Yeats, written in 1916, is a powerful and sardonic commentary on the futility and cyclical nature of revolutions. Through its vivid imagery and sharp critique of social and political upheaval, the poem offers a bleak reflection on the perpetuation of power struggles, inequality, and human suffering. In just a few lines, Yeats encapsulates his pessimistic view of revolution as a process that ultimately leads to the replacement of one form of oppression with another, rather than genuine social progress.
Tone and Theme
The tone of The Great Day is one of irony, cynicism, and disillusionment. Yeats juxtaposes the raucous excitement often associated with revolutions—expressed in the exclamation “Hurrah for revolution” and the invocation of “more cannon-shot”—with a recognition of the grim reality that revolution does not fundamentally alter the social hierarchies or systems of exploitation that govern the world. This ironic juxtaposition signals that the poet is not celebrating the revolution, but rather pointing out its inherent contradictions.
The central theme of the poem revolves around the futility of revolution as a means of achieving true social change. Yeats critiques the idea that a revolution, despite its promises of equality and justice, merely substitutes one form of tyranny for another. The phrase “A beggar upon horseback lashes a beggar on foot” starkly illustrates the power dynamics at play, showing that while the positions of those in power may shift, the suffering of the disenfranchised continues, and the oppressors remain entrenched in their roles.
This theme of cyclical oppression is reinforced by the final lines of the poem, which suggest that while revolutions may change the faces of those in power, they fail to alter the basic dynamics of exploitation. The “lash” of the oppressor, whether it is wielded by the former elites or by the new revolutionary leaders, continues unabated. Thus, Yeats suggests that true liberation is elusive, and that social transformation is often more illusory than real.
Imagery and Symbolism
Yeats’s use of vivid imagery in The Great Day serves to underscore the starkness and brutality of the social realities he is critiquing. The image of “a beggar upon horseback lashes a beggar on foot” is both striking and symbolic. The beggars represent the oppressed, the powerless, and the marginalized members of society. The reversal of roles—one beggar now riding horseback, the other walking on foot—symbolizes a superficial change in power. It suggests that the individuals who once held power have been replaced, but the fundamental structures of inequality remain unchanged.
The “lash” is a potent symbol of oppression, control, and suffering. It is a physical manifestation of the violence and coercion that underpin social and political systems. The fact that the lash “goes on” even after the revolution demonstrates that the cycle of domination and submission continues, regardless of who occupies the seat of power. The lash becomes a metaphor for the persistence of injustice, and Yeats’s use of it underscores his belief that revolutions often fail to deliver the promised freedom and equality.
The repetition of the phrase “Hurrah for revolution” throughout the poem serves to highlight the hollowness of revolutionary rhetoric. The word “hurrah” is typically associated with excitement and celebration, yet Yeats uses it here to create an ironic contrast with the grim and unchanging reality of the situation. This repetition emphasizes the disconnect between the idealized notion of revolution and the bitter reality that follows.
Structure
The brevity of the poem mirrors the futility of revolutionary change. In just four short lines, Yeats encapsulates the essence of his critique, leaving little room for optimism or escape from the cycle of oppression. The concise, direct language of the poem reinforces the sharpness of the message, while also suggesting that the poem’s pessimism is inescapable and all-encompassing.
Historical Context and Political Critique
Yeats wrote The Great Day during a time of intense political turmoil in Ireland. The 1916 Easter Rising, an armed insurrection against British rule in Ireland, had recently taken place, and Irish nationalists were engaged in a struggle for independence. Yeats himself was deeply involved in the political and cultural life of Ireland, though his views on the revolution were complicated and often ambivalent. While he supported Irish independence, he was also critical of violent revolution and the chaos it caused.
The poem can thus be seen as a reflection of Yeats’s skepticism about the effectiveness of revolutionary movements. He had witnessed firsthand the devastation and disillusionment that often followed in the wake of violent uprisings. The poem critiques the idea that revolution is a clean break from the past, suggesting instead that it is often a mere reshuffling of the same power dynamics. The cyclical nature of oppression persists, regardless of who holds the reins of power.
In this context, Yeats’s use of the figure of the beggar is significant. It not only represents the oppressed masses but also acts as a symbol of the disillusionment felt by those who had hoped that the revolution would bring true change. The beggar’s continued suffering—whether on horseback or on foot—symbolizes the failure of the revolution to address the root causes of social inequality.
The Great Day is a sharply ironic and critical poem that reflects William Butler Yeats’s disillusionment with the promise of revolution. Through its vivid imagery, sardonic tone, and stark critique of political systems, the poem explores the cyclical nature of oppression and the emptiness of revolutionary change. Yeats suggests that while revolutions may change the faces of those in power, they ultimately fail to address the deeper structures of inequality and injustice. The poem is a powerful reminder that true social progress requires more than just a change in leadership—it requires a fundamental transformation of the systems that perpetuate suffering and exploitation. In this way, The Great Day remains a timely and thought-provoking meditation on the limitations of political change and the persistence of human suffering.