Notes Class 11 Chapter 4.2 Yuvakbharati English Maharashtra Board

The Rising of the Moon

1. Author and Background

• Lady Gregory (Isabella Augusta Persee) was an Irish writer from County Galway, Ireland.
• She was a key person in starting the Abbey Theatre in Dublin.
• Her friend William Butler Yeats encouraged her to learn about old Irish history and folklore.
• Lady Gregory was very skilled at writing one-act plays.
• Two of her most famous one-act plays are “Spreading the News” and “The Rising of the Moon.”
• “The Rising of the Moon” is a play that is both charming and shows a deep understanding of Irish character.
• The play is mainly about the strong feelings of Irish nationalism.
• The title comes from a ballad about Shawn O’Farrell and represents the Irish fight against the British.
• Lady Gregory’s skill in portraying Irish characters and her excellent handling of the story make this play very well-liked.

2. Setting

• The scene is set at the side of a quay (a platform by the water) in a seaport town.
• There are posts, chains, a big barrel, and it is night-time with moonlight.
• Three policemen enter the scene.

3. Key Themes

• Irish Nationalism: The play strongly explores the theme of Irish nationalism and the conflict between loyalty to the law and loyalty to one’s country.
• Duty vs. Loyalty: The sergeant faces a conflict between his duty as a police officer and his feelings for his fellow countryman.
• Identity and Disguise: The wanted man uses disguise and his identity as a ballad-singer to evade capture.
• Empathy and Human Connection: The play highlights the connection between people and the importance of empathy, as shown in the sergeant’s decision.

4. Important Symbols

• The Rising of the Moon: This title itself is a symbol of the Irish uprising against British rule.
• The Songs: The patriotic songs sung in the play remind the sergeant of his youth and his own sense of Irish identity.
• The Placard: Represents the law and the authority of the British government.