THE RISING OF THE MOON – Lady Gregory – One Act Play

যে য োন ো প্রশ্ন- 5 marks – এর য োন ো প্রশ্ন এনে প্রথম ও দ্বিতীয় অ ু নেদ, 10 marks – এনে পুনরোটো
 “The Rising of the Moon” by Lady Gregory is a play about the Irish freedom movement. It signifies
the rising of the moon of Irish freedom. The dramatist hopes for the freedom of her countrymen from
the tyranny of the British rule. The poor Irish people will regain their liberty. The Britishers will have a
mighty down fall.
 The Ireland was being ruled over by the British Government. The Irish people had been persecuted by
the British Government. When the persecution became unbearable the people of Ireland raised their
voices and started a movement of their motherland. The Irish people wanted to deny the British rulers
and to make Ireland free. So the expression “The Rising of the Moon” suggests the end of the British
persecution. Freedom is going to take the place of bondage, independence to dependence.
 The word ‘Rising’ suggests the elevation from one stage to another. The word ‘Moon’ is also a
suggestive word. The soothing rays of the moon cast on Earth, bring forth an environment free from
irritation. The atmosphere of Ireland was vitiated by the renting of the British rulers. With the departure
of the British rulers from the soil of Ireland, the unrest will be out and peace will be pervading in the air
of Ireland.
Title এলে- Thus, the title has become significant and perfect.

Character : The Ragged man

5 marks – এর য োন ো প্রশ্ন এনে প্রথম ও দ্বিতীয় অ ু নেদ, 10 marks – এনে পুনরোটো
 The Ragged man is an interesting character of the one act play “The rising of the moon” written by
Lady Gregory. He is a rebel of heroic qualities. He is a clever man, a true leader, a psychoanalyst, a true
patriot and a passionate lover of his country.
 The man appears at the quay on the seaside in the guise of a poor ballad singer. He can sing ballads in
the most appealing passion to touch the heart and the spirit of the ardent police officer. His make-up of
a ballad singer is so perfect that even in the course of his conversation, smoking, singing and sitting
together back to back on the barrel the Sergeant can’t suspect and detect him until he finally reveals his
identity. He tries his tricks one after another to deceive intelligent and dutiful Sergeant.
 Right from the very beginning of the play we find the Ragged man on the top of his wit. He made
friends among the jailors to come out of the goal; now he makes the Sergeant friend again to escape
arrest and imprisonment. Thus he proves that he is really a wonder but he does not forget the help and
association of the Sergeant. So before departure he expresses his gratitude to the Sergeant with an
empathetic note of optimism, he will surely pay back the good turn done to him by the Sergeant.

The Sergeant :
(5 marks – এর য োন ো প্রশ্ন এনে প্রথম ও দ্বিতীয় অ ু নেদ, 10 marks – এনে পুনরোটো
 The Sergeant is the second important character in Lady Gregory’s one act play “The Rising of the
Moon”. He remains on the stage throughout the play and grips the attention of the audience. From the
psychological point of view, he is a fascinating character.
 The Sergeant is an Irish man who accepted the job of a policeman and his duty requires him to
against his own Country. He is a married man with a family to support. At the beginning of the play we
find him in want of money. He is eager to get the reward of 100 pounds by arresting the Irish
revolutionary. But is his youth, his only dream was to attain Ireland’s freedom. But he is now a loyal
police officer of the foreign British Government. He helps to maintain ‘law and orders’ in the interest of
this Government. He says that the whole country depends on us to keep law and order. He is keen on
arresting the rebel leader even at the risk of his own life.
 The Sergeant is essentially good natured and true patriot. At the end of the play, he is easily
transformed from a police officer to a patriot. After helping the revolutionary leader to escape and thus
losing a 100 pounds he asked himself “I wonder, now, am I as great a fool as I think I am?” Perhaps from
a worldly point of view he has been foolish; but in his heart of the hearts he realizes that he is no fool
but a great patriot. It is a great sacrifice indeed on his part.