The Ballad of Father Gilligan by W.B Yeats
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The Ballad of Father Gilligan by W.B Yeats

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Questions and Answers

What is the structure of the poem 'The Ballad of Father Gilligan'?

  • Six stanzas of six lines
  • Eight stanzas of three lines
  • Twelve stanzas of four lines (correct)
  • Ten stanzas of five lines

    • What is Father Gilligan's occupation?

  • Doctor
  • Lawyer
  • Teacher
  • Priest (correct)

    • Why is Father Gilligan tired?

  • Because he helps his people day and night (correct)
  • Because he doesn't get enough sleep
  • Because he doesn't like his job
  • Because he is old

    • What indicates it is evening in the poem?

    <p>The presence of insects</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Father Gilligan do after feeling upset?

    <p>He begs God to forgive him</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the insects in the poem?

    <p>They disappear</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the stars in the poem?

    <p>They mark the beginning of the night</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did God do to the world at the beginning of the story?

    <p>Covers it with darkness</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is indicated by the chirping of sparrows?

    <p>The early hours of morning</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is Father Gilligan shocked when he wakes up?

    <p>He slept for a long time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Father Gilligan ride his horse?

    <p>Rashly over narrow roads and wet lands</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did the sick man's wife tell Father Gilligan when he arrived?

    <p>That her husband had died an hour ago</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Father Gilligan say about God?

    <p>God is a king who takes care of all the planets</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is Father Gilligan grateful to God?

    <p>Because God was kind and merciful to him</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the theme of the poem?

    <p>The love and care of God for all lives</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Father Gilligan say God might have sent to help him?

    <p>An angel</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the emotional state of Father Gilligan when he says, 'I have no rest, nor joy nor peace'?

    <p>Distraught</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why does Father Gilligan ask for forgiveness from God?

    <p>Because he spoke out of turn</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What occurs in the natural world as night falls?

    <p>The stars appear in the sky</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the moths and sparrows in the poem?

    <p>They indicate the passage of time from night to morning</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Father Gilligan do after saying he has no rest, joy, nor peace?

    <p>He starts praying</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did the woman tell Father about the sick man?

    <p>He died an hour ago.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did the sick man die according to the woman?

    <p>Happily like a bird.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Father do when he heard the woman's words?

    <p>He knelt down.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Father realize when he heard about the sick man's death?

    <p>That God had sent another priest in his place.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was Father's emotional state after hearing about the sick man's death?

    <p>Sad and restless.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    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.

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