The Ballad of Father Gilligan by W.B Yeats

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.