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Questions and Answers
What is the structure of the poem 'The Ballad of Father Gilligan'?
What is Father Gilligan's occupation?
Why is Father Gilligan tired?
What indicates it is evening in the poem?
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What does Father Gilligan do after feeling upset?
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What happens to the insects in the poem?
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What is the significance of the stars in the poem?
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What did God do to the world at the beginning of the story?
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What is indicated by the chirping of sparrows?
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Why is Father Gilligan shocked when he wakes up?
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How does Father Gilligan ride his horse?
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What did the sick man's wife tell Father Gilligan when he arrived?
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What does Father Gilligan say about God?
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Why is Father Gilligan grateful to God?
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What is the theme of the poem?
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What does Father Gilligan say God might have sent to help him?
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What is the emotional state of Father Gilligan when he says, 'I have no rest, nor joy nor peace'?
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Why does Father Gilligan ask for forgiveness from God?
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What occurs in the natural world as night falls?
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What is the significance of the moths and sparrows in the poem?
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What does Father Gilligan do after saying he has no rest, joy, nor peace?
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What did the woman tell Father about the sick man?
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How did the sick man die according to the woman?
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What did Father do when he heard the woman's words?
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What did Father realize when he heard about the sick man's death?
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What was Father's emotional state after hearing about the sick man's death?
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Study Notes
Structure of the Poem
- The poem is a narrative ballad structure, consisting of eight stanzas with a rhythmic and lyrical quality.
- Each stanza moves the story forward, reflecting Father Gilligan's journey and emotional turmoil.
Father Gilligan's Occupation
- Father Gilligan is a priest, tasked with providing spiritual care, especially to the sick and dying.
Father Gilligan's Tiredness
- He is weary from his duties, feeling overworked and emotionally drained due to the demands of his parishioners.
Indications of Evening
- The poem signifies evening through imagery of twilight, the fading light, and sounds in nature, such as insect chirping.
Father Gilligan's Actions After Feeling Upset
- After feeling upset, he expresses frustration, seeks solace, and ultimately falls asleep while contemplating his responsibilities.
Insects in the Poem
- The insects symbolize natural life continuing, but also reflect the transition from day to night, paralleling Father Gilligan's inner conflict.
Significance of the Stars
- Stars represent divine presence and guidance, illuminating Father Gilligan's path and reminding him of God’s omnipresence.
God's Action at the Beginning
- God created the world, establishing the natural order and the cycle of life and death that Father Gilligan grapples with throughout the poem.
Chirping of Sparrows
- The chirping suggests the relentless continuation of life around Father Gilligan, contrasting his exhaustion and sense of despair.
Father Gilligan's Shock Upon Waking
- He is shocked to discover that he has slept through his duty, especially after being summoned to aid a dying man.
Riding His Horse
- Father Gilligan rides his horse hastily and distractedly, reflecting his urgency and the gravity of the situation upon waking.
Sick Man's Wife's Words
- She informs Father Gilligan that her husband has died, expressing grief and urgency regarding his spiritual needs.
Father Gilligan's Thoughts on God
- He reflects on God's omnipresence and power, questioning how he can connect with the divine amidst his overwhelming fatigue.
Gratitude Toward God
- Father Gilligan feels thankful for God’s mercy and for the reassurance that he has not been abandoned, despite his exhaustion.
Theme of the Poem
- Themes include compassion, the burden of responsibility, divine presence, and the struggle between duty and personal limits.
Help from God
- Father Gilligan wonders if God might have sent angels or divine assistance to aid him in his arduous tasks.
Emotional State
- He expresses deep distress, feeling a profound lack of rest, joy, and peace, highlighting his struggles with faith and exhaustion.
Asking for Forgiveness
- Father Gilligan seeks forgiveness from God for his feelings of inadequacy and doubt while fulfilling his responsibilities.
Natural World at Night
- As night falls, the natural world transitions to a quieter state, with less activity and a sense of calmness that reflects Father Gilligan’s weariness.
Significance of Moths and Sparrows
- Moths and sparrows symbolize hope and the cyclical nature of life, contrasting with Father Gilligan’s worries and fears.
Actions After Expressing Distress
- After vocalizing his lack of peace, he is compelled to fulfill his duties, leading him to confront the reality of the sick man's demise.
Woman’s Message about the Sick Man
- She tells Father Gilligan about her husband's passing and emphasizes the need for him to provide last rites.
Sick Man's Death
- The woman states that her husband died looking for Father Gilligan, adding to the priest’s sense of guilt and urgency.
Father’s Reaction
- Upon hearing the news, he experiences immediate guilt and sorrow, realizing he has failed in his responsibilities.
Realization after Hearing of Death
- Father Gilligan understands his shortcomings in meeting the spiritual needs of his parishioners, deepening his emotional turmoil.
Emotional State Post-Death
- He feels a profound sense of loss and responsibility, overwhelmed by grief for the sick man and guilt for his absence.
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Description
Test your understanding of W.B Yeats' poem, 'The Ballad of Father Gilligan', a narrative poem about the presence of God and a miracle in the life of an old priest.
