The Stare's Nest by My Window

Katheryn Lee
English 150
Wednesday 16 October 2013, 5 p.m. section

Here is my discussion plan:

1. Recite poem
2. Give background (Irish Civil War, Yeats + nature)
3. Discussion questions:
   1. We already know that Yeats incorporates a huge amount of nature in his works. Why do you think he specifically chose bees to symbolize hope for the country?
   2. In the first stanza he says The mother birds bring grubs and flies. It is the only other "nature" reference that Yeats uses — what does this symbolize and why?
   3. Do you think the tone of the poem is more disappointed in the humanity of his country or hopeful for what can come of the hardships?
   4. The structure of the poem goes from a more vague description of what is happening to a concrete image and understanding of Yeats' POV. Why do you think he does this?
   5. Now that we know what the meaning of the poem is about, what is the meaning of the title of the work? Why does Yeats refer to his window?
   6. The bees building a new home was a symbolism of hope. However, throughout the poem, Yeats continuously refers to a stare (another name for a starling, which is a bird). What does the stare symbolize in the poem?