Easter 1916

In "Easter 1916," Yeats asserts that Ireland and its people have been "changed utterly". Yeats also suggests that Ireland had to affirm its independence and national identity through rebellion and the passionate pursuit of change. Author questions the significance of these individuals in that "Was it needless death after all?". It concludes that although Ireland must continue to pursue change, there is "A terrible beauty" that could insight a unified effort for Irish independence or could eventually revert back to Ireland's conformity to English rule.