The Wind That Shakes The Barley, written by Robert Dwyer Joyce (2021), explores the theme of the sacrifice young men had to make during the Irish rebellion of 1798. The ballad captures the viewpoint of a Wexford boy who, by joining the rebel movement, had to ultimately refuse the love of his close ones and instead accept the violence of war into his life. The poet (2021) beautifully describes the flowing emotions of the young man, his determination to fight for his homeland, and, in the second part of the poem – his tender grief for his killed beloved. By using descriptions of nature – the golden barley, the mountain glen, thick and green branches – Joyce creates a connection between the reader and the land, enhancing the sorrowful yet comforting atmosphere. His words, while simple, portray the background of the hero vividly: a young boy who does not want to leave his loved ones but has to for the sake of his land.
Chapter 11: West Cork Brigade from Tom Barry’s (2013) Guerilla Days in Ireland also focuses on the atmosphere and nature, using both as a means to construct a high-context background in just a few sentences. Each of the writings explores the topic of wars in or around Ireland; however, where Joyce’s (2021) ballad focused on the rebellion of 1798, Barry (2013) discussed the European War of 1814-1819. Moreover, Barry takes on a more detached approach, providing brief descriptions of the land and its specific features, unlike Joyce’s colorful imaging. Overall, it can be said that, while both authors provide views on similar events in the history of Ireland, their focuses are entirely different. Barry and Joyce outline very different aspects of the Irish wars, both in context and in literary means.
Works Cited
Barry, Tom. Guerilla Days in Ireland. Mercier Press, 2013.
Joyce, Robert Dwyer. “The Wind That Shakes the Barley.” The National Museum of Language, 2021.