PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

This study aims at shedding light on the Mother figure as a symbol in Yeats’ Cathleen ni Houlihan. While most of the writers favour to present the female figure as a young and beautiful, Yeats contradicts this attitude by identifying Ireland with an old and dignified lady. The study aims at justifying Yeats’ choice of the old female figure as opposed to the young. The study proved that Yeats aimed to create double cultural function: the first was for a national purpose; where the young men decide to help the old lady only for her own sake without having any personal benefit. The second function had a cultural depth that aimed at reviving Irish culture by reintroducing Celtic figures adopted from the Irish culture as major characters in his plays. Therefore; the study proved that Yeats’ choice of the old female figure was a very influential way to foster national awareness and to revive the Celtic heritage as well.