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Lady Gregory · English Literature

In Lady Gregory's classic nationalist play 'The Rising of the Moon' (1907), what internal conflict does the Sergeant face when confronted by an escaped political rebel?

  1. He must choose between British duty and his dormant sympathy for Irish nationalism.
  2. He must decide whether to take a large bribe from the rebel or arrest him for his own safety.
  3. He must choose between rescuing his brother from prison or keeping his harbor post.
  4. He must decide whether to report fellow officers for taking bribes from smugglers.
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Correct answer: He must choose between British duty and his dormant sympathy for Irish nationalism.

The play is a tense psychological and political drama set on a dark wharf where a Sergeant is keeping watch for an escaped political prisoner. The rebel, disguised as a poor ballad-singer, uses traditional Irish songs to awaken the Sergeant's youthful memories of patriotism. Ultimately, the Sergeant chooses to let the rebel escape, illustrating the powerful draw of shared cultural identity over imperial duty.

Difficulty: Medium Question 1 of 10

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