Lady Gregory’s The Rising of the Moon

"The Rising of the Moon" by Lady Gregory

(Part-III - Core XV - Short-stories and One-act Plays - Prescribed to the students of the Affiliated Colleges of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University)

Title: Delving into Lady Gregory's "The Rising of the Moon"

Introduction

"Lady Gregory's The Rising of the Moon" is a one-act play that explores themes of patriotism, loyalty, and the power of persuasion. First performed in 1907, the play is set during the time of the Irish nationalist movement, which sought independence from British rule. The story revolves around an encounter between a police sergeant and a disguised political fugitive. In this essay, we will examine the plot, characters, and themes of "The Rising of the Moon" in detail.

Plot Summary

The play takes place on a pier in a small coastal town in Ireland. A police sergeant is preparing to capture a political fugitive who is expected to arrive by boat. As he waits, a mysterious ballad singer approaches him. The singer, who is actually the fugitive in disguise, engages the sergeant in conversation and gradually reveals his true identity.

Throughout their conversation, the fugitive attempts to persuade the sergeant to let him go. He appeals to the sergeant's sense of patriotism and loyalty to his fellow countrymen. As the play unfolds, the sergeant begins to question his duty to the British authorities, as well as his own values and beliefs.

As the moon begins to rise, signaling the arrival of the boat, the sergeant is faced with a difficult decision. In the end, he chooses to let the fugitive escape, demonstrating his loyalty to his country and its people over his allegiance to the British. The play concludes with the sergeant reflecting on his decision, as the fugitive's boat sails away into the night.

Characters

1. Police Sergeant: The protagonist of the play, the police sergeant is a dutiful and loyal officer of the law. However, his encounter with the fugitive causes him to question his allegiance to the British authorities and ultimately leads him to make a difficult decision.
2. The Fugitive: A clever and persuasive Irish nationalist, the fugitive disguises himself as a ballad singer to evade capture. He plays a pivotal role in the play by appealing to the sergeant's patriotism and loyalty to his country, ultimately convincing him to let him escape.

Themes

1. Patriotism: One of the key themes in "The Rising of the Moon" is patriotism, which is evident in the fugitive's passionate appeals to the sergeant's love for his country. The play explores the power of patriotism to sway an individual's decisions and actions, even when they conflict with their professional duties.
2. Loyalty: Loyalty is another central theme in the play, as it highlights the conflict between the sergeant's duty to the British authorities and his loyalty to his fellow countrymen. Ultimately, the sergeant's decision to let the fugitive escape demonstrates his loyalty to Ireland and its people.
3. The Power of Persuasion: The play also emphasizes the power of persuasion, as the fugitive is able to convince the sergeant to let him go through his eloquent words and appeals to the sergeant's sense of patriotism. The story highlights the idea that even the most dedicated individuals can be swayed by powerful arguments and emotions.

Conclusion

Lady Gregory's “The Rising of the Moon" is a thought-provoking play that delves into themes of patriotism, loyalty, and the power of persuasion. Set against the backdrop of the Irish nationalist movement, the play tells the story of a police sergeant who is forced to question his allegiance and make a difficult decision. Through its exploration of these themes, the play serves as a reminder of the power of conviction and the importance of standing up for one's beliefs.