The Demi-Gods · Chapter
XXXV explained
The group continues their journey toward the hill where the angels' finery is buried.
What happens
The group continues their journey toward the hill where the angels' finery is buried. The donkey refuses to go further, prompting Finaun to suggest they part ways. Finaun and Caeltia bless and say goodbye to the Mac Canns and Eileen, with Patsy revealing he kept a gold piece. Art and Mary share their first words, and Art tears his wings, choosing to stay with Mary.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Conflict
Art and Mary's first spoken exchange is charged with emotion; Art tears his wings in a dramatic act of renunciation, choosing mortal love over angelic duty.
Freedom and Outlawry
Patsy's secret retention of the gold coin and Art's defiant destruction of his wings both represent acts of personal rebellion against divine or social expectations.
Characters to notice
- Finaun Mac Dea
Urges the group onward, blesses and kisses Patsy, Eileen, Mary, and the donkey, then departs up the hill.
- Caeltia Mac Dea
Accepts Patsy's pipe and spade, advises Patsy to keep the gold piece, says farewell, and digs up the buried finery.
- Patsy Mac Cann
Embarrassed by Finaun's kiss, offers his pipe to Caeltia, confesses he kept a gold coin, and departs with Eileen.
- Mary Mac Cann
Kisses the donkey, receives Finaun's blessing, shares a silent farewell with Art, and weeps when Art tears his wings.
- Art
Says goodbye to Patsy and Eileen, hesitates to don his finery, runs back to Mary, and tears his wings to stay with her.
- Eileen Ni Cooley
Receives Finaun's blessing, says goodbye to Art, and departs down the hill with Patsy.
Key passages
“He’ll not go up there”
The donkey refuses to ascend the hill.
Mary explains the donkey's stubbornness, leading to the group's halt.
“I let one of the gold pieces slip through my fingers, and it’s lying at the bottom of my pocket at this minute”
Patsy confesses he secretly kept one gold coin.
Patsy reveals his deception to Caeltia, who advises him to keep it.
“Now!”
Art exclaims as he tears his wings apart.
Art rips his wings in a decisive gesture to remain with Mary.