Notes Class 11 Ch 4.2 Yuvakbharati English Maharashtra Board

The Rising of the Moon

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.

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.

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.

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.