Austin Clarke

Austin Clarke, escaping from the shadow of W. B. Yeats, could establish for himself a highly distinguished position in Anglo-Irish literature. Conservative Catholicism, political corruption and social injustice are the main issues of Clarke's satirical poetry. This book tries to reveal the satirical element in Clarke's poetry, showing how the poetic techniques that the poet employs reflect his mood of satire and discontent. The book is divided into four chapters. Chapter one examines the details of the poet's life and times. In addition, it sheds light on the nature of satire and traces its development throughout ages. Chapter two discusses religious satire in Clarke's poetry, directing attention to the technical devices which help the satirist convey his message. Chapter three handles political satire which Clarke skillfully expresses through the various techniques he employs. The final chapter elucidates social satire in Clarke's poetry whose technical richness amazingly enables the satirist to express his feelings and convey his ideas. Indeed, the satirical poems written by Clarke stand as markers in the social map of twentieth-century Ireland.