# XVIII explained — Irish Fairy Tales

> Chapter companion for Irish Fairy Tales by James Stephens.

## What happens

Mongan languishes in despair over losing Duv Laca, and his servant mac an Dáv shares his own grief over his wife's departure. Mongan sends mac an Dáv to Duv Laca, who urges him to come quickly. Mongan attempts to rescue her but is thwarted by the King of Leinster's return. The nobles of Ulster fall ill from compassion and propose war, but Mongan insists on using his own craft to reclaim what he lost.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Sacrifice

Mongan's despair over Duv Laca and his willingness to use craft rather than war to reclaim her highlight the theme of love's trials and sacrifices.

### Kingship and Leadership

Mongan's refusal to wage war despite his nobles' advice underscores the burden of leadership and the importance of personal responsibility.

## Character check-ins

### Mongan

Suffers from longing and despair over Duv Laca; resolves to use his own craft to win her back.

### Mac an Dáv

Shares Mongan's grief over his own wife's departure; acts as messenger to Duv Laca.

### Duv Laca

The object of Mongan's desire; sends word for Mongan to come quickly as the charioteer Kevin Cochlach pursues her.

### Dermod

The King of Leinster who married Duv Laca; returns to his fortress and foils Mongan's attempt.

## Key lines

> Winter is in my heart, quoth he, and I am cold already.

Mongan says that his heart feels like winter, and he is already cold with despair.

_Expresses Mongan's deep emotional desolation despite the external autumn abundance._

> It is a long yawn without sleepiness. It is a bee, lost at midnight and buzzing on a pane. It is the noise made by a tied-up dog. It is nothing worth dreaming about. It is nothing at all.

Mac an Dáv describes life as a wearying, pointless experience, like a bee trapped at night or a dog's restless noise.

_Mac an Dáv's poetic lament mirrors Mongan's own feelings of loss and futility._

## Links

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