Darby O’Gill and the Good People · Chapter
II: The Banshee's Halloween explained
On Halloween night, Darby O'Gill ventures out in a storm to bring tea to the dying Eileen McCarthy.
What happens
On Halloween night, Darby O'Gill ventures out in a storm to bring tea to the dying Eileen McCarthy. He is terrified of encountering the banshee, but recalls Bridget's words about angels protecting those on errands of mercy. He witnesses Cormac McCarthy chasing the banshee toward a broken bridge, and leaps across the gap to save him, frightening the banshee away. Afterward, he enters the McCarthy home and overhears Eileen's heartfelt fears about Cormac remarrying after her death.
Themes in this chapter
Fear and Courage
Darby overcomes his terror of the banshee and the storm, drawing on faith and a sense of duty to perform a courageous act.
Superstition and Religion
The chapter blends belief in the banshee and Halloween superstitions with Christian faith, as Darby recalls Bridget's words about angels.
Marriage and Domestic Conflict
Eileen's dying fears about Cormac remarrying highlight the emotional strains and insecurities within marriage.
Characters to notice
- Darby O'Gill
Braves the storm to bring tea to Eileen, recalls Bridget's comforting words, leaps a broken bridge to save Cormac, and overhears Eileen's fears.
- Bridget O'Gill
Her parting words about angels protecting those on errands of mercy give Darby courage.
- Cormac McCarthy
Grief-stricken and crazed, he chases the banshee toward a broken bridge; Darby saves him from drowning.
- Eileen McCarthy
Lying ill in bed, she expresses her fear that Cormac will remarry after her death.
- Sheelah Maguire
Mentioned as the banshee that Darby confronts and frightens away.
Key passages
“If one goes on an errant of marcy, a score of God's white angels with swoords in their hands march before an' beside an' afther him, keeping his path free from danger.”
If you perform a merciful act, God sends angels to protect you.
Bridget's words that give Darby courage.
“The poor crachures ain't roamin' about shakin' chains an' moanin' an' groanin', just for the sport of scarin' people, nor yet out of maneness. 'Tis always a throuble that's on their minds—a message they want sint, a saycret they're endayvouring to unload.”
Ghosts don't haunt people for fun; they have an unresolved problem or message they need to convey.
Peggy O'Callaghan's wisdom about facing ghosts.
“Oh, it isn't death at all that I fear... 'tis not that I'm misdoubtful of; but, ochone mavrone, 'tis you I fear!”
Eileen is not afraid of dying, but of Cormac remarrying after she is gone.
Eileen's deepest anxiety revealed to Cormac.