Lady Gregory · English Literature

In Lady Gregory's supernatural comedy 'The Dragon' (1919), how is the dangerous, fire-breathing monster ultimately defeated or managed?

  1. It eats a seasoned vegetarian mincemeat pie that turns its aggression gentle and domestic.
  2. It is slain by an uneducated prince wielding a magical sword of the Tuatha Dé Danann.
  3. It is tricked into crossing an enchanted river that strips away its mystical scales.
  4. It is put to sleep forever by a lullaby sung by the queen's court astrologer.
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Correct answer: It eats a seasoned vegetarian mincemeat pie that turns its aggression gentle and domestic.

'The Dragon' is an imaginative folk-wonder play written primarily for younger audiences but layered with political allegory. Instead of relying on traditional bloody violence, the conflict is resolved when the beast consumes a specialized pie that instantly cures its desire for human meat. The play highlights Lady Gregory's recurring thematic interest in reform, empathy, and peaceful resolution over martial violence.

Difficulty: Medium Question 5 of 10

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