Interpretation of Images and Symbols in Easter 1916

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Interpretation of images and symbols in Easter 1916 Until the third stanza, we got a general overview of the rebellion but meaningful symbols come only in this one first. The third stanza is much more complex and abstract than the previous ones. First comes the symbol of a stone in a stream. As a symbol supposed to have multiple meanings, this one offers some interesting interpretations as well. When a stone is dropped into a stream, it displaces the water and somehow interrupts the nature. The first interpretation could come here as the revolutionaries do the same when they have “Hearts with one purpose alone” (41) to free Ireland and to interrupt the British governance. These revolutionaries are "Enchanted to a stone" (43) and they "trouble the living stream." (44), which can mean that they are considered to be the symbol of stiffness, which can reflect their dedication to their political purposes. However, this stone can represent the British state too, which has hearts that have been turned into stones and those stone hearts “trouble the living stream” (44) of Irish life. Completely turned over, the stone can represent the Irish state too, which then disrupts the yet unharmed British government's life. Moreover, the stone can symbolize the rebels' purpose in the flow of change, in case if it is considered to be the symbol of toughness, constancy, or truth. However, it should not be forgotten that the stone also has negative associations, such as immobility, inflexibility, or insensitivity. "Birds that range" (46) means birds which pass along in the clouds. This can represent the nature in the way that it is the ultimate symbol of continuous movement and never stopping evolution. Animals, like birds, are changing their locations almost every minute, they move forward and do not dwell in the past - as people often do. The clouds are moving with the birds,
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