Easter (Allegory)
The fact that the Easter Rising began on the Christian holiday that gives its name allows the poem to allegorically refer to Christ’s resurrection. Just as Jesus rose from the dead, the commemoration of the revolutionaries allows them to live on in memory eternally: “Now and in time to be.” Similarly, the idea that they are “changed, changed utterly” also builds on the idea of being transformed after death. Finally, the importance of Easter is built into the very structure of the poem. The uprising began on 24 April 1916. Two of the stanzas have 16 lines. The other two have 24. There are four stanzas in total, representing the fourth month of the year.
The wingèd horse (Symbol)
The speaker writes that the teacher "rode our wingèd horse." Here, the winged horse is an allusion to Greek mythology, in which Pegasus symbolizes poetic achievement.
Stone (Symbol)
The stone is a symbol for the heart of the revolutionary. Like stone, it is unchanging and seemingly dedicated to “one purpose alone.”
Stream (Symbol)
The stream is a symbol for the constant change of the natural world. It is a “living stream” because it is constantly flowing. In contrast, the stone does not change, and so it “trouble[s]” the stream and nature’s law of change.
Green (Symbol)
Green is a symbol for Ireland. The final stanza says that MacDonagh, MacBride, Connolly, and Pearse will live on “Wherever green is worn.” This means that as long as there is an Ireland, these men will be remembered.
