Saint Brigid's Prayer

Question 1

What Brigid’s vision of Heaven is - shows how she respects + loves god, she wants to show her gratitude and respect to him

Answer 1

a lake of beer to God

Question 2

Brigid addresses god in an informal way, uses alliteration, thinks of him drinking in small qualities for eternity, not drunk, but in good nature for all eternity

Answer 2

I’d love the Heavenly Host to be tippling there for all eternity

Question 3

she views Heaven as a place of fun + celebration, everyone having a good time

Answer 3

dance and sing

Question 4

Brigid would give them if they desired…

Answer 4

If they wanted

Question 5

Kennelly implies life has a lot of difficulty + suffering, makes poem realistic

Answer 5

vats of suffering

Question 6

original phrase, trying to make concept of love something physical/tangible , just like the suffering. Would give them lots of enthusiasm + love + affection

Answer 6

White cups of love I’d give them with a heart and a half

Question 7

again makes something obscure concrete. She will give them mercy + kindness that they gave in life

Answer 7

sweet pitchers of mercy

Question 8

people are happy in Heaven

Answer 8

happy heart is true

Question 9

she wants the saints to be happy for their own sake instead of happy for others’ sake

Answer 9

men contented for their own sake

Question 10

references the 3 prominent religious figures, strength of women, he admires strong women

Answer 10

special welcome

three Mary’s

Question 11

Ends poem positively, they’re all sitting around having a chat + drinking for all eternity

Answer 11

We’d be drinking good health forever and every drop would be a prayer

Question 12

themes

Answer 12

hope/optimism 
religion
celebration of the ordinary
strength of women
sorrows of life