Darby O’Gill and the Good People · Chapter
The Fairies explained
This chapter presents William Allingham's poem 'The Fairies,' which describes the fear and allure of the fairy folk, who steal a little girl named Bridget and keep her for seven years, only to return her dead from sorrow.
What happens
This chapter presents William Allingham's poem 'The Fairies,' which describes the fear and allure of the fairy folk, who steal a little girl named Bridget and keep her for seven years, only to return her dead from sorrow.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Closing
Darby’s internal turmoil reaches its emotional and psychological peak here as he is consumed by dread over the…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Fairy Folk and Mortal Wisdom
The poem illustrates the perilous interaction between mortals and fairies, highlighting the sorrow that can result from such encounters.
- Fear and Courage
The opening lines express the fear of hunting near fairy dwellings, emphasizing the community's caution and dread of the 'little men.'
Characters to notice
- Bridget O'Gill
The little girl stolen by the fairies for seven years, returned dead from sorrow.
Key passages
“Up the airy mountain, Down the rushy glen, We daren’t go a-hunting For fear of little men.”
We are too afraid to go hunting in the mountains and glens because we might encounter the fairies.
Sets the tone of fear and respect for the fairy folk.
“They stole little Bridget For seven years long; When she came down again Her friends were all gone.”
The fairies kidnapped Bridget and kept her for seven years; when she returned, everyone she knew had passed away.
Highlights the tragic consequence of fairy abduction.
“They took her lightly back Between the day and morrow; They thought that she was fast asleep, But she was dead with sorrow.”
The fairies returned her quickly overnight, believing she was sleeping, but she had actually died from grief.
Emphasizes the deep sorrow and finality of Bridget's experience.
