Between Nation, Myth, and Self: The Poetics of Sacrifice in W. B. Yeats and E. G. Nair: A Comparative Study

This study undertakes a comparative analysis of the theme of sacrifice in the poetry of W. B. Yeats and E. G. Nair, examining its political, ethical, and philosophical dimensions across distinct cultural contexts. Drawing on postcolonial theory, myth criticism, and existential philosophy, the paper explores how sacrifice functions as a complex and multi-layered motif. In Yeats’s work, particularly within the context of Irish nationalism, sacrifice is represented as political martyrdom that contributes to national identity and historical memory, yet remains deeply ambivalent and ethically contested. His poetry interrogates the value and consequences of sacrifice, revealing its tragic and paradoxical nature. In contrast, Nair’s poetic vision reorients sacrifice toward the internal domain, emphasizing ethical responsibility, spiritual growth, and self-realization. Through qualitative textual analysis and close reading, the study highlights both convergences and divergences in their treatment of sacrifice. While both poets attribute symbolic and transformative significance to sacrifice, their perspectives differ in orientation collective versus individual, political versus spiritual, ambivalence versus acceptance. The study ultimately argues that sacrifice is not merely a thematic concern but a philosophical problem shaped by culture, history, and identity.