Bean Uí Chinsealaigh

Role in the Story:

Bean Uí Chinsealaigh is a wealthy woman who hires Máire as a domestic servant. She later dismisses her due to the social stigma surrounding Máire's pregnancy. Her actions reflect the harsh judgment of society against unmarried mothers and how reputation is prioritised over compassion.

Relationships with Other Characters:

• Máire Ní Chathasaigh: Bean Uí Chinsealaigh hires Máire as a domestic servant, but dismisses her when she discovers Máire is pregnant.
• Her Children: She has five children, but she doesn't mention this in her job ad. She uses her children as a reason for firing Máire, claiming she couldn't have someone like her around them.

Key Actions in the Play:

1. Dishonest Ad: She places an ad in the paper offering ceithre phunt (four pounds) for domestic work but ends up paying Máire less (dhá phunt deich scilling – two pounds ten shillings). She also fails to mention that she has five children, making the job more demanding than Máire expected.

2. Fires Máire When She Finds Out She's Pregnant: Once Bean Uí Chinsealaigh learns about Máire's pregnancy, she fires her immediately, saying she can't have someone like Máire around her children. Her decision is based on what the neighbours would say, not on any concern for Máire.

3. Hypocritical Offer: She tells the social worker that she would be willing to take Máire back if she gave up her child, showing her lack of real compassion and prioritising appearances.

Symbolism/Importance:

Bean Uí Chinsealaigh is a symbol of the hypocritical, judgmental attitudes at the time. She is willing to manipulate the truth in her favour, both in her ad and in her dealings with Máire. Her willingness to fire Máire and then offer to take her back only if she gives up her child highlights how superficial her "concern" is. She represents those in society who protect their reputation at the expense of vulnerable individuals like Máire.

Aidiachtaí

Fimíneach	Hypocritical
Glic	Sly
Mímhacanta	Dishonest
Coiméadach	Conservative
Ceartaiseach	Self-righteous
Leithleach	Selfish
Cruálach	Cruel

Ról (Role)

• Nuair a chuaigh Máire go Baile Átha Cliath, fuair sí post mar chúintóir tí le Bean Uí Chinsealaigh.
  • When Máire went to Dublin, she got a job as a housekeeper with Bean Uí Chinsealaigh.
• Rinne an bhean uasal seo dúshaothrú ar Mháire. Thug sí pá íseal di agus nuair a chonaic sí go raibh Máire torrach, thug sí bata agus bóthar di.
  • This lady exploited Máire. She gave her a low wage and when she saw that Máire was pregnant, she got rid of her.

1. Mímhacánta agus glic: an fógra sa nuachtán

(Dishonest and sly: the advert in the newspaper)

• Bhí cúigear clainne aici ach níor luaigh sí é sin san fhógra a bhí sa nuachtán, rud a chruthaíonn gur duine glic, mímhacánta í.
  • She had five children but she didn't mention that in the advertisement in the newspaper, which proves that she is a cunning, dishonest person.
• Luaigh sí ceithre phunt san fhógra, ach níor thug sí ach dhá phunt deich scilling do Mháire.
  • She mentioned four pounds in the advert, but she only gave two pounds and ten shillings to Máire.

2. Thug sí bata agus bóthar do Mháire

(She threw Máire out on her ear)

• Ar dtús, bhí sí lánsásta le Máire-dúirt sí go ndearna Máire a cuid oibre go sásúil agus go raibh na páistí ceanúil uirthi.
  • At first, she was very happy with Máire- she said that Máire did her work satisfactorily and that the children were fond of her.
• Ach, chomh luath agus a fuair sí amach go raibh Máire ag iompar linbh, chuir sí an ruaig uirthi.
  • But, as soon as she found out that Máire was pregnant, she made her leave.
• Cosúil le Bean Uí Chathasaigh, bhí sí buartha faoi thuairim na gcomharsan. Níor mhaith léi 'leanbh tabhartha' a bheith sa teach.
  • Like Bean Uí Chathasaigh, she was worried about the neighbour's opinions. She did not want a 'child born out of wedlock' in the house.

3. Fimíneach

(Hypocritical)

• Thuig sí go mbeadh Máire ag dul go dtí an Teach Tearmainn agus go mbeadh uirthi a leanbh a thabhairt suas.
  • She understood that Máire would be going to the 'Teach Tearmainn' and that she would have to give up her baby.
• Bhí sí sásta ligint don Oibrí Sóisialta an próiseas sin a dhéanamh. Dúirt sí go mbeadh sí sásta ligint do Mháire teacht ar ais ag obair dí arís gan a leanbh.
  • She was happy to let the Social Worker complete that process. She said that that she would be happy to let Máire come back to work for her again without her child.
• Cheap sí go raibh sí carthanach agus cineálta, ach cruthaíonn se sin go raibh sí fimíneach agus leithleach.
  • She though that she was charitable and kind, but this proves that she was hypocritical and selfish.

Quotes:

"Ní fhéadfainn iad a fhágáil i mbaol caidrimh lena leithéid. Cad a déarfadh na comharsana?"

"I could not leave them in danger of a relationship with her sort. What would the neighbours say?"