# Irish Poets explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by James McIntyre.

## What happens

This chapter celebrates Irish poets and their contributions to literature, focusing on Tom Moore and Oliver Goldsmith, and includes an anecdote about the wit of T. D. McKee.

## Themes in this chapter

### Cultural Heritage and Immigrant Identity

The chapter celebrates Irish poets and their enduring legacy in Canada, emphasizing the preservation of Irish cultural identity.

### Moral Lessons and Domestic Virtue

Goldsmith's lines on wealth and decay offer a moral reflection on society.

## Character check-ins

### Tom Moore

Celebrated as a great Irish minstrel whose ballads and works like Lala Rookh are admired worldwide.

### T. D. McKee

Honoured as a great Irish historian; an anecdote highlights his ready wit at a supper table.

### Oliver Goldsmith

Referenced for his poem 'The Deserted Village' and his novel 'The Vicar of Wakefield'.

### Bryan Borohm

Mentioned in Moore's song about ancient Irish glory.

## Key lines

> Moore placed dross in the waste basket And enshrined jewels in casket

Moore discarded inferior material and preserved only the finest gems of Irish poetry.

_Metaphor for Moore's editorial skill in selecting the best ballads._

> I wish the Montreal people were as anxious to retain me in my seat as you are in Ingersoll.

McKee joked that Montrealers should want to keep him in office as much as the Ingersoll crowd wanted him to stay seated.

_Shows McKee's quick wit in a social setting._

> I'll fare the land to many ills a prey Where wealth accumulates but men decay.

A land where wealth grows while people suffer will face many troubles.

_Goldsmith's critique of economic inequality._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/irish-poets
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters