Deireadh na Feide (Leaving Cert Irish): Model Answers

Deireadh na Feide

Sample Exam Question:

Léigh an dán "Deireadh na Féide" le Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh agus freagair na ceisteanna seo:

Read the poem "Deireadh na Féide" by Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh and answer the following questions:

(a) Déan cur síos ar théamaí an dáin.

(a) Describe the themes of the poem.

(b) Pléigh teicnící filíochta a úsáideann an file chun na téamaí sin a chur in iúl.

(b) Discuss the poetic techniques the poet uses to express those themes.

(c) Tabhair do thuairim ar an dán agus míneoidh cén fáth a bhfuil sé tábhachtach nó suimiúil.

(c) Give your opinion of the poem and explain why it is important or interesting.)

Sample Answer:

(a) Sa dán "Deireadh na Féide" tá téamaí casta agus domhain le feiceáil, go háirithe an téama maidir le cogaíocht inmheánach an duine agus an streachailt leis an bhféin. Tá an file ag iniúchadh an phian a bhaineann leis an amhras agus leis an eagla atá ag cur as don intinn. Feicimid sa dán go mbíonn an duine ag iarraidh éalú ón bhféin-chontúirt seo ach go mbíonn sé deacair é a dhéanamh go hiomlán. Léiríonn an file go bhfuil dóchas fós ann, mar a léirítear i bhfocail mar "solas ag lonrú i bhfad uaim," ach freisin tugtar le fios go bhfuil na scáthanna dorcha fós láidir. Ina theannta sin, tagann téama na beatha agus an bháis chun cinn sa dán, ag cur béime ar an bhfírinne go mbíonn ár saol agus ár bpian nasctha lena chéile. Trí úsáid a bhaint as an téama seo, cuireann an file béim ar an dúshlán a bhíonn ag an duine agus ar an mhianta cumhachtacha atá againn go léir, lena n-áirítear an mianta chun neart agus réidh a bhaint amach.

(a) In the poem "Deireadh na Féide," complex and deep themes are present, especially the theme of a person's internal struggle and the battle with the self. The poet explores the pain associated with doubt and fear that disrupt the mind. We see in the poem that a person tries to escape from this self-danger but finds it very difficult to do so fully. The poet shows that there is still hope, as shown in words like "light shining far from me," but also that the dark shadows remain strong. Furthermore, the themes of life and death appear in the poem, emphasizing the truth that our life and pain are linked together. By using this theme, the poet highlights the challenge people face and the powerful desires we all have, including the desire for strength and peace.

(b) Úsáideann Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh éagsúlacht mhaith teicnící filíochta chun an téama cogaíochta inmheánach seo a chur in iúl go soiléir agus go cumhachtach. Tá íomhánna cumhachtacha le feiceáil sa dán, mar shampla "scáth dorcha" agus "solas ag lonrú," a léiríonn an codarsnacht idir an dóchas agus an uaigneas. Tá an friotal simplí ach an-ardmhaitheasach agus bíonn sé an-aisteach ag foirmiú pictiúr inmheánach láidir. Déantar athrá ar roinnt frásaí mar "níl deireadh leis an bhféin" chun béim a chur ar an streachailt leanúnach atá i gceist. Ina theannta sin, tá úsáid áirithe ar shimplíocht sa struchtúr agus sa chomhfhocail, rud a fhágann go bhfuil an dán éasca le leanúint ach fós an-domhain. Cuireann an file úsáid na codarsnachta agus na híomhánna cumhachtacha leis an mothúchán a chruthú, rud a thugann doimhneacht agus foirmeachas don dán. Tríd an gcomhthéacs seo, bíonn an léitheoir in ann cur síos níos fearr a dhéanamh ar an gcath inmheánach agus ar an dúshlán a bhaineann le dul i ngleic leis an bhféin.

(b) Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh uses a good variety of poetic techniques to clearly and powerfully express this theme of internal conflict. Powerful images appear in the poem, such as "dark shadow" and "light shining," which illustrate the contrast between hope and loneliness. The language is simple but highly meaningful, forming a very strong internal picture. There is repetition of phrases like "there is no end to the self" to emphasize the ongoing struggle involved. Also, there is a certain simplicity in the structure and vocabulary, which makes the poem easy to follow yet very profound. The poet's use of contrast and powerful imagery adds to the emotion, giving the poem depth and formality. Through this context, the reader can better describe the internal battle and the challenge of confronting the self.

(c) I mo thuairim féin, is dán an-tábhachtach agus nua-aimseartha é "Deireadh na Féide" a labhraíonn go dlúth le mothúcháin an léitheora óga sa lá atá inniu ann. Tugann sé léargas doimhne ar an gcaoi a mbíonn daoine ag streachailt le smaointe agus mothúcháin a chuireann eagla agus amhras orthu féin. Is maith liom an tslí a úsáideann an file íomhánna soiléire agus codarsnachtaí chun an dán a dhéanamh chomh cumhachtach. Déanann an dán machnamh domhain ar an bhféin agus ar an tsaoirse, agus spreagann sé an léitheoir chun féachaint ar a shaol féin go criticiúil. Mar sin, measaim go bhfuil an dán oiriúnach go mór do mhic léinn atá ag foghlaim Gaeilge agus atá ag iarraidh tuiscint níos fearr a fháil ar fhilíocht nua-aimseartha.

(c) In my own opinion, "Deireadh na Féide" is a very important and contemporary poem that speaks closely to the feelings of young readers today. It gives a deep insight into how people struggle with thoughts and feelings that cause fear and doubt about themselves. I like the way the poet uses clear images and contrasts to make the poem so powerful. The poem provides deep reflection on the self and on freedom, and it encourages the reader to look critically at their own life. Therefore, I believe the poem is very suitable for students learning Irish who want to gain a better understanding of modern poetry.