"Patrick Pearse: Irish Rebel" combines the literary achievements of this Irish writer and his revolutionary aims as an Irish freedom fighter. Additionally, the paper provides many interesting points about the Easter Revolution and the events leading up to Irish Independence in 1921.
The paper begins with a brief analysis of Pearse's literary accomplishments. This synopsis points out that Pearse wrote intentionally to further the history of Ireland and eventually, express revolutionary ideas. Accordingly, Pearse's use of the Gaelic language was specifically designed to incite revolution to end British control of Ireland; however, the author never mentions the impact that the use of the traditional Irish language had within Britain or Ireland. The common Irish peasant might have spoken Gaelic in Pearse's time, but chances of this same peasant reading and being influenced by Pearses' writings were slim. In the same manner, the author mentions that Pierce was an editor of a revolutionary magazine, but the popularity of this magazine or the impact it had on the situation within Ireland is not identified in the paper. Also, the popularity of Pearse's writings, including his books and articles, are never mentioned within the paper. This information should have been added to support the author's thesis that Pearse is a great Irish author. More emphasis should have been given to Pearse's role as a revolutionary author to support the author's stated thesis. However, the information given in the paper is slanted toward Pearses' actions as a militant revolutionary.
The strongest part of the paper includes the discussion on Pearse's role in the Easter rebellion of 1916. His actions up to and including the rebellion are explained with great detail. This adds much support to the author's thesis. The author also employs great usage of the history surrounding the Easter rebellion. However, more details, including other actors, locations, dates, and strategies of the Easter rebellion could have been added to the paper. Additionally, Michael Collins is mentioned in the paper as the founder of the Irish Republican Army after the rebellion, but the relationship between Patrick Pearse and Collins is not explored in the paper. By including details regarding this relationship, the conclusion would have been more substantiated. It would have been more obvious why Pearse's soul is with the IRA today. Furthermore, the author needed to include Pearse's influences for becoming involved in the Irish revolutionary struggle as a young man. Also, the strategies Pearse used to convince others to join his struggle for Irish freedom should be added to the paper to further demonstrate his status as one of Ireland's most popular rebels and freedom fighters.
Moreover, the paper presents a bias toward the independence of Ireland from Great Britain. This bias is legitimate considering the focus the course --Ireland's Literary Voice -- has taken on the Irish political struggle. The British point of view is not included in the paper. The prevailing British feeling about Pearse and his revolutionary counterparts is not explored in the author's discussion of Pearse and the Easter rebellion of 1916. The life of Patrick Pearse might be interpreted by others as having a negative impact on the history of Ireland. Many Irishmen lost their lives in the Easter rebellion. Additionally, many people, both Irish and British, are still being killed in the paramilitary activities that had their beginnings with Pearse. The hostilities in the region have survived the decades since 1916, claiming innocent victims regularly. Those whose lives have been touched by these hostilities might interpret Pearse not as an Irish hero, but a founder of the struggle and evil that still exists between Ireland and Great Britain today.
"Patrick Pearse: Irish Rebel" provides good information on the life of Pearse and historical events in his time. Several details excluded from the paper would provide greater support for the author's thesis. Also, additional sources besides an interactive encyclopedia might have provided contrasting views on Pearse's life. Additionally, the paper projects Pearse as an Irish hero, though others may see Pearse as a founder of the paramilitary activity that presently haunts the lives of those living in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland.