# XIX explained — Irish Fairy Tales

> Chapter companion for Irish Fairy Tales by James Stephens.

## What happens

Mongan and mac an Dáv arrive at a fortress guarded by hatchetmen and spearmen. They encounter the grotesque Hag of the Mill, her sick animals, and her decrepit mare. Mongan offers to transform her into a beautiful young girl named Ivell of the Shining Cheeks, and she agrees. He transforms her, the dog, the mare, himself, and mac an Dáv, then they all set off toward the fortress singing a song.

## Themes in this chapter

### Transformation and Identity

Mongan transforms the Hag of the Mill, the dog, the mare, himself, and mac an Dáv, altering their identities and appearances.

### The Supernatural and Faery

Mongan's magical abilities and the fantastical transformation of characters and animals highlight the supernatural elements of the story.

## Character check-ins

### Mongan

Transforms the Hag of the Mill into Ivell of the Shining Cheeks and changes himself into the likeness of Ae.

### Mac an Dáv

Accompanies Mongan and is transformed into the likeness of Ae's attendant.

### Ivell of the Shining Cheeks

The Hag of the Mill is transformed into Ivell, daughter of the King of Munster.

## Key lines

> Would you like to be a lovely young girl?

Mongan asks the Hag of the Mill if she wishes to become a beautiful young woman.

_Mongan offers the hag a transformation as part of his plan._

> I’d like to marry either of you, or both of you, or whichever of you came first.

The hag says she would marry Mongan, the King of Leinster, or both, whichever she encounters first.

_The hag's pragmatic response to Mongan's marriage proposal._

> He touched her with his finger, and the instant he touched her all dilapidation and wryness and age went from her, and she became so beautiful that one dared scarcely look on her, and so young that she seemed but sixteen years of age.

Mongan's touch instantly transforms the hag into a stunningly beautiful sixteen-year-old girl.

_The magical transformation of the Hag of the Mill into Ivell of the Shining Cheeks._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xix
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters