'The Ballad Of Moll Magee' by William Butler Yeats
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COME round me, little childer;
There, don't fling stones at me
Because I mutter as I go;
But pity Moll Magee.
My man was a poor fisher
With shore lines in the say;
My work was saltin' herrings
The whole of the long day.
And sometimes from the Saltin' shed
I scarce could drag my feet,
Under the blessed moonlight,
Along thc pebbly street.
I'd always been but weakly,
And my baby was just born;
A neighbour minded her by day,
I minded her till morn.
I lay upon my baby;
Ye little childer dear,
I looked on my cold baby
When the morn grew frosty and clear.
A weary woman sleeps so hard!
My man grew red and pale,
And gave me money, and bade me go
To my own place, Kinsale.
He drove me out and shut the door.
And gave his curse to me;
I went away in silence,
No neighbour could I see.
The windows and the doors were shut,
One star shone faint and green,
The little straws were turnin round
Across the bare boreen.
I went away in silence:
Beyond old Martin's byre
I saw a kindly neighbour
Blowin' her mornin' fire.
She drew from me my story --
My money's all used up,
And still, with pityin', scornin' eye,
She gives me bite and sup.
She says my man will surely come
And fetch me home agin;
But always, as I'm movin' round,
Without doors or within,
Pilin' the wood or pilin' the turf,
Or goin' to the well,
I'm thinkin' of my baby
And keenin' to mysel'.
And Sometimes I am sure she knows
When, openin' wide His door,
God lights the stats, His candles,
And looks upon the poor.
So now, ye little childer,
Ye won't fling stones at me;
But gather with your shinin' looks
And pity Moll Magee.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Ballad of Moll Magee: A Poetic Masterpiece
William Butler Yeats, an Irish poet and playwright, is widely considered one of the greatest literary figures of the 20th century. His works, which are characterized by themes of Irish nationalism, mysticism, and symbolism, have earned him numerous awards and accolades. One of his most famous works, ‘The Ballad of Moll Magee’, is a masterpiece that explores the themes of poverty, oppression, and injustice. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the poem and try to understand the various literary devices used by Yeats to convey his message.
Summary of the Poem
‘The Ballad of Moll Magee’ is a poem that tells the story of a poor Irish woman named Moll Magee. The poem is set in the backdrop of the Irish famine of the 1840s, a period of great hardship and suffering for the Irish people. Moll Magee is depicted as a victim of poverty and oppression, who is forced to beg for a living. Despite her difficult circumstances, Moll Magee is shown to be a woman of great strength and resilience, who refuses to be broken by the injustices she faces.
The poem begins with a description of the bleak Irish landscape, which serves as a metaphor for the poverty and destitution that characterizes the lives of the Irish people. Yeats writes, “In Donegal, in Mayo, / In Antrim, and in Tyrone, / All round my own native town / She looked for a home.” The use of repetition and alliteration in these lines creates a sense of despair and hopelessness, as if the Irish people are trapped in a never-ending cycle of poverty and misery.
The focus then shifts to Moll Magee, who is described as a “poor, tired woman” who is “worn to the bone”. Despite her hardships, Moll Magee refuses to give up, and instead continues to fight against the injustices she faces. The poem then takes a dark turn, as Moll Magee is falsely accused of being a witch and burned at the stake. However, even in death, Moll Magee remains defiant, and her spirit lives on.
Literary Devices in the Poem
One of the most striking aspects of ‘The Ballad of Moll Magee’ is the way in which Yeats uses literary devices to convey his message. Here are some of the most notable ones:
Imagery
Yeats uses vivid imagery throughout the poem to create a sense of the bleak Irish landscape and the poverty and suffering of the Irish people. For example, he writes, “The wind that blows through the world / It blows through Moll Magee”. This line creates a sense of the harshness and brutality of the Irish landscape, and how it affects even the most vulnerable members of society.
Repetition
Repetition is used extensively in the poem to create a sense of despair and hopelessness. For example, the lines “In Donegal, in Mayo, / In Antrim, and in Tyrone” are repeated several times throughout the poem, creating a sense of the ubiquity of poverty and suffering in Ireland.
Alliteration
Alliteration is another device used by Yeats to create a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem. For example, in the lines “The wind that blows through the world / It blows through Moll Magee,” the repetition of the ‘w’ sound creates a sense of the wind blowing through the landscape.
Metaphor
Yeats uses metaphor extensively in the poem to create a sense of the Irish landscape as a metaphor for the poverty and suffering of the Irish people. For example, he writes, “The wind that blows through the world / It blows through Moll Magee”. This metaphor creates a sense of the harsh and unforgiving landscape that the Irish people must endure.
Themes in the Poem
‘The Ballad of Moll Magee’ explores a number of themes that are relevant not only to the Irish people but to people all over the world who are struggling with poverty and oppression. Here are some of the most notable themes:
Poverty and Oppression
The primary theme of the poem is poverty and oppression. Moll Magee is depicted as a victim of poverty and oppression, who is forced to beg for a living. Despite her difficult circumstances, she refuses to give up, and instead continues to fight against the injustices she faces.
Injustice and Persecution
Another key theme of the poem is injustice and persecution. Moll Magee is falsely accused of being a witch and burned at the stake, even though she is innocent. This is a powerful commentary on the way in which the powerful often persecute the powerless.
Resilience and Defiance
Despite the bleak circumstances in which she finds herself, Moll Magee remains resilient and defiant. Even in death, her spirit lives on, a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ‘The Ballad of Moll Magee’ is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of poverty, oppression, and injustice. Through the use of vivid imagery, repetition, alliteration, and metaphor, Yeats creates a sense of the harsh Irish landscape and the suffering of the Irish people. The poem is a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit, even in the face of the most difficult circumstances. For anyone who has ever struggled with poverty or oppression, ‘The Ballad of Moll Magee’ is a timeless reminder that the human spirit is capable of overcoming even the most difficult challenges.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Ballad of Moll Magee: A Masterpiece of Irish Poetry
William Butler Yeats, one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, is known for his profound and evocative works that capture the essence of Irish culture and history. Among his many masterpieces, The Ballad of Moll Magee stands out as a powerful and moving tribute to the resilience and strength of the Irish people.
Written in 1887, The Ballad of Moll Magee tells the story of a poor Irish woman who is forced to endure a life of hardship and suffering. Despite her struggles, Moll remains steadfast and determined, refusing to give up or lose hope. Through her story, Yeats explores the themes of poverty, oppression, and the enduring spirit of the Irish people.
The poem begins with a vivid description of Moll Magee, a woman who is "old and bent" and "wrinkled and gray." Despite her age and infirmity, Moll is described as having a "bright eye" and a "firm step," suggesting that she is still full of life and vitality. This contrast between Moll's physical appearance and her inner strength sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which celebrates the resilience and determination of the Irish people in the face of adversity.
As the poem progresses, Yeats describes the many hardships that Moll has endured throughout her life. She has been "beaten and battered" by life, and has suffered through poverty, hunger, and illness. Despite these challenges, Moll remains resolute, refusing to give up or lose hope. She is a symbol of the enduring spirit of the Irish people, who have faced centuries of oppression and hardship, yet have never lost their determination or their sense of identity.
One of the most striking aspects of The Ballad of Moll Magee is its use of language and imagery. Yeats employs a range of poetic devices, including alliteration, repetition, and metaphor, to create a vivid and evocative portrait of Moll and her world. For example, he describes Moll's "tattered shawl" and "ragged coat," which serve as symbols of her poverty and hardship. He also uses powerful metaphors, such as "the wind that blows through the world" and "the fire that lights the stars," to convey the sense of struggle and resilience that characterizes Moll's life.
Another notable feature of the poem is its use of traditional Irish ballad form. The poem is written in quatrains, with a simple ABAB rhyme scheme, and features a refrain that is repeated throughout the poem: "O' the raggedy man he works by the day." This structure gives the poem a sense of rhythm and musicality, and reinforces the idea that Moll's story is part of a larger tradition of Irish balladry.
Ultimately, The Ballad of Moll Magee is a powerful and moving tribute to the resilience and strength of the Irish people. Through his portrayal of Moll and her struggles, Yeats captures the essence of Irish culture and history, and celebrates the enduring spirit of a people who have faced centuries of hardship and oppression, yet have never lost their sense of identity or their determination to persevere.
In conclusion, The Ballad of Moll Magee is a masterpiece of Irish poetry that continues to resonate with readers today. Through its vivid language, powerful imagery, and traditional ballad form, the poem captures the essence of Irish culture and history, and celebrates the resilience and strength of a people who have faced countless challenges yet have never lost their sense of identity or their determination to persevere. For anyone interested in the rich and complex history of Ireland, The Ballad of Moll Magee is a must-read.
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