History was central in a variety of ways to Yeats's poetic development and to the meaning of his work. In this study, Whitaker suggests that history was for the poet a mysterious interlocutor, which Yeats saw at times as a bright reflection of himself and again as a dark force opposed to that self. The poet's internal dialogue is viewed as projection into historical symbolism. Originally published in 1964. A UNC Press Enduring Edition -- UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.