Ash and Robin

Just as Ash was uncertain as to what exactly lies to the right of the onlookers, so was I. I had to read the title as well to actually discover what was occurring. "The Liffey Swim" by Jack Yeats seems not only to be simply a portrayal of an Irish tradition, but the anonymity of the faces and the ambiguity of the swimmers draws you into the painting. You can use your own imagination to see the swimmers-it’s not simply given to you. You are also able to place yourself into one of those anonymous faces. To me, Yeats is trying to portray a part of the Irish culture in which others can participate and be drawn to just as the Irish are.
I remember playing versions of Oh Danny Boy on the clarinet when I was first learning to play. Although, it wasn’t until now that I actually saw the lyrics to the song. I feel the same way Ashley does about this song. It gives the listener/reader a sense of loss and mourning, but there also seems to be hope. Hope that one day he will return, despite whether or not she is still living.
Her initial interest began when her aunt moved to Ireland. However, she has also been inspired by hearing the language itself. In addition, her she would like to explore her Irish heritage. The mystery of the landscape and the culture-and all that entails-seem to be the subjects that most intrigue her.

From the photograph, you can automatically tell that Robin has an interest in racing and/or horses. You can hear the hoofs beating against the green turf as the horses speed around the track and the excited tension of the audience as they watch on. I hadn’t realized that horse racing was necessarily a part of the culture until I read her caption.
The poem by Michael Longley vividly portrays the beauty and the ruggedness of the Irish landscape. I think there may be even more in the poem than only description of the landscape as well. Her major in Range Management explains her interest in the landscape and in the poem. Her main goal may be to learn more about the land itself and how the people interact with it.
After seeing the Lord of the Dance, Robin became interested in the Irish culture-its music and the tradition behind it. She also has an Irish background which she would like to learn more about. Furthermore, Robin’s mother recently traveled to Ireland, and returned with stories of her adventures. Hearing about her mother’s experiences, seeing the Lord of the Dance, and having an Irish heritage have all contributed to her interest in the Irish culture.