The Crock of Gold · Chapter
V explained
The Leprecaun teaches the children games and leads them to an underground hole, causing the Thin Woman to worry when they do not return home.
What happens
The Leprecaun teaches the children games and leads them to an underground hole, causing the Thin Woman to worry when they do not return home. The Philosopher responds to her distress with a detached lecture on kidnapping in nature, infuriating her.
Themes in this chapter
Wisdom vs. Knowledge
The Philosopher's detached, encyclopedic knowledge contrasts with the Thin Woman's practical concern for her children.
Nature vs. Civilization
The Leprecaun's natural games and the wild field contrast with the domestic anxiety of the Thin Woman.
Characters to notice
- Seumas Beg
Plays games with the Leprecaun and follows him into the hole.
- Brigid Beg
Joins her brother in playing with the Leprecaun and slides into the hole.
- Leprecaun
Teaches the children games and leads them to the underground hole.
- Thin Woman of Inis Magrath
Becomes anxious when the children are late and accuses the Leprecaun of kidnapping.
- Philosopher
Returns home and responds to the Thin Woman's distress with a pedantic discourse on kidnapping.
Key passages
“There was one of the children whom she hated; it was her own child, but as she had forgotten which of them was hers, and as she loved one of them, she was compelled to love both for fear of making a mistake and chastising the child for whom her heart secretly yearned.”
She hated one child but couldn't remember which was hers, so she loved both to avoid punishing the wrong one.
The Thin Woman's conflicted feelings toward her children.
“Kidnapping has been for many centuries a favourite occupation of fairies, gypsies, and the brigands of the East.”
Kidnapping has long been practiced by fairies, gypsies, and Eastern brigands.
The Philosopher's pedantic opening to his lecture.