W. B. Yeats
William Butler Yeats was born in 1865 in Sandymount, County Dublin, Ireland. His early interest in poetry was sparked by his fascination with Irish legends and the occult. Although he wrote poetry long before, his first published verse appeared in 1889. Yeats is regarded as one of the most significant figures of the 20th century and played a key role in the revival of Irish literature. Some of his most notable works include "When You Are Old," "Her Anxiety," and "A Dialogue of Self and Soul." A versatile writer, Yeats explored many forms in his poetry. In 1923, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. He passed away in 1939 at the age of 73.
The Ballad of Father Gilligan
About "The Ballad of Father Gilligan"
"The Ballad of Father Gilligan" is a ballad that tells the story of an old priest named Peter Gilligan, who is exhausted from responding to numerous calls from dying parishioners. The poem is set in the countryside, although the exact location is not specified. The countryside setting is evident from the mention of "green sods" in the first stanza. Moreover, in stanzas 7 and 8, the priest saddles a horse and rides it quickly, which suggests an open, rural area where such fast riding is possible.
Summary of Poem
There is an old priest named Father Gilligan who was very tired. Half of his parishioners had died, and he had to perform his priestly duties for each of them. One day, while he was resting in a chair, he was called to attend to another dying man. Overwhelmed, Father Gilligan cried out in distress but immediately asked the Lord for forgiveness and knelt to pray. He fell asleep in that position and slept for a long time, through the night and the next day.
When he woke up, he realized a whole day had passed. He quickly saddled a horse and rode to the home of the dying man. When he arrived, the man's wife was surprised to see him again and told him that her husband had already passed away, comforted by Father Gilligan's visit the previous night. Overjoyed, Father Gilligan realized that God had heard his plea and sent an angel to do his duty while he slept.
Analysis of Poem
The poem "The Ballad of Father Gilligan" is structured in short stanzas with a rhyming scheme, making it a perfect ballad. It begins with the portrayal of Father Gilligan, an old priest who is extremely exhausted because half of his parishioners have died. The metaphorical language of "sleeping in their beds" and "lying under the green sods" indicates that they are deceased.
The term "flock" refers to the parishioners who rely on the priest, highlighting the heavy responsibility he bears as the sole source of support for them. This, coupled with the mention of "green sods," suggests a rural countryside setting with a high ratio of people to priest.
When another person sends for the priest's help, he grieves at the news of another impending death, revealing his compassionate nature and the toll that the recent spate of deaths has taken on him. His outburst reflects his exhaustion and the magnitude of the tragedy that has befallen the village. As night falls, vivid imagery depicts its arrival, with the suggestion that God is close to humanity during these peaceful moments, conveying a sense of divine benevolence.
Upon waking in the morning, Father Gilligan anxiously sets out to fulfill his duty, riding swiftly through the rocky lanes and marshes of the countryside. His cry of "Mavrone! Mavrone!" expresses his grief, reinforcing the Irish countryside setting, which is typical of Yeats's works. Upon arriving at the poor man's house, he fears he may have failed in his duty, only to be reassured by the man's wife that her husband passed away peacefully and happily shortly after the priest's visit. Father Gilligan realizes that God had intervened, sending an angel to fulfill his duties while he slept.
This poem is one of the few religious-themed works by Yeats, showcasing the themes of compassion, exhaustion, and divine intervention in the face of hardship.
Thank you.
.jpg)
