THE YOUNG REBELS ISBN 978-0-86278-579-6 pb

MORGAN LLYWELYN

Teaching Guide by Liz Morris

RATIONALE AND THEMES Unit 1 41) just as John Joe did with his (pp9, 10, 22, 23). Yet Pearse respects and is This story is set in Ireland in the early years Leaving Home proud of his father, while John Joe of the twentieth century, a time of great doesn’t want to be anything like his upheaval in Europe, and so is very suitable SUMMARY father (p34). Do you think John Joe is for use as part of a history project or too hard on his father? Can you offer an investigation. It also introduces and When his mother becomes dangerously explanation for his father’s behaviour? develops many universal themes which ill, John Joe’s bullying father and strict would interest pupils in the senior cycle of but loving aunt send him to St Enda’s, a ACTIVITIES primary schools and the junior cycle of school that prepares boys to become second-level schools: ‘complete men’ by offering a wide 1. ‘A wide and beautiful place’ p Suffering and loss range of subjects and a wide variety of John Joe is astonished when he first sees St p Transition from child to adult sports. At first he is lonely and ‘hates’ the Enda’s (p14). Read his description of the p Parental fallibility Irish language through which most house and its grounds. The Pearse p Friendship and loyalty subjects are taught. Slowly he beomes Museum is currently undergoing extensive p Personal responsibility fond of the teachers, who include Con renovations and is due to re-open in 2008. p Conflict, both personal and political Colbert and Thomas MacDonagh, and Contact The , St Enda’s acquires good friends. He also learns to Park (tel: +353 1 4934208) for booklet or think independently about religion, SUMMARY to arrange a visit, or visit exploitation of workers and about the www.heritageireland.ie. The story of a young boy’s coming- equality of all men and women. of-age under the care and guidance of Read pp9–37 2. Then and Now Padraic Pearse, this novel centres Make a list of the subjects taught in St around the modern and enlightened DISCUSSION POINTS Enda’s (see pp16, 18, 30 ,39) and compare educational theories at the heart of p It is clear from the beginning that the with those currently taught in Irish schools. Pearse’s school, and follows the lives of adults in John Joe’s family have very Ask your parents or grandparents about the some of those St Enda’s pupils who differing ideas on how to raise young subjects they were taught in school and say followed their headmaster to witness his boys. Discuss the positive and negative which curriculum you consider most heroic stand for Irish freedom in the ways in which the members of the ‘child-centred’. General Post Office in 1916. Seen family interact with each other, and through the eyes of a young boy, the with the outside world. 3. Special Birthright? grief of separation from his beloved p The Headmaster believes that ‘true mother, the relief and guilt he feels on Consider the methods used by Pearse freedom can only exist where there is leaving his bullying father, his growing (p18) and MacDonagh (pp21, 22) to teach self-discipline’ (p18). Do you agree with attachment to the cause of freedom and the Irish language. Contact the current this philosophy? the events that lead to the leaders of the main political parties in p John Joe hates the Irish language and its painful aftermath are vividly Ireland or visit their websites and note their because ‘it’s the language of poverty’ brought to life in this powerful and position on the importance of Irish and says that the government has timely historical novel. language in the modern curriculum. ‘contempt for everything Irish’ (p19). Can you suggest reasons why Irish 4. Teacher: Could do Better? APPROACH people might have had little esteem for Write a definition of what makes a good For the purposes of this exploration, the Irish culture and language at that time? and effective teacher, then write an novel has been divided into six units, each p Padraic Pearse had a very close advertisement that would attract potential of which contains suggested discussion relationship with his mother (pp16, 25, candidates to apply for a position in your points and language-based activities.

1 school. Do you think Mr Pearse would father was a Protestant and an Merrion Square, , though it still have agreed with your requirements? Englishman, consider John Joe’s belongs to the Pearse Museum. See if you statement above in conjunction with his can find out more about the work of this 5. Further Reading earlier comment that ‘in a republic all artist. , ‘together with a men, and all women too, are equal man called Bulmer Hobson’, founded under the law’ (p34). 4. Fond Memory Fianna Éireann in 1909 (p32). For p When John Joe’s father rejects his John Joe’s family observe the traditions and information on the history and embrace and slaps him, there is ‘a rituals of the time when his mother dies. tradition of na Fianna Éireann, go to shocked gasp in the room’, yet no Read carefully John Joe’s description of the www.fianna.netfirms.com/code/ relative or neighbour intervenes and it is rooms in the house, of his mother lying history.html. Read also the chapter on the Ardmháistir who steps between upstairs (pp48-50) and compare with Countess Markievicz ‘revolutionary, father and son (p49). How might Bertie Cindy’s description of her mother’s more labour activist and the first female MP try to explain his behaviour in the contemporary funeral in Sisters …no way! elected to Westminster’ on pp158 – 165 of parlour? Can you explain or understand (pp3-5) (ISBN 978-0-86278-495-9). Wild Irish Women (ISBN why he reacted as he did? 978-0-86278-780-6). p John Joe says that when his mother died 5. The Rare Oul Times he thought he would ‘never have fun On the Saturday after Christmas, Willie again’ and that he now sometimes feels takes John Joe into town on the tram (p53). Unit 2 ‘guilty’ that he is having fun (p59). Can Imagine Willie’s reaction to a journey from ‘Esprit de Corps’ you empathise with these mixed Dundrum to Stephen’s Green on the Luas, emotions? Consider how you might and say what he might think of Grafton react in his position. Street during the Christmas period some SUMMARY ninety years later. ACTIVITIES John Joe continues to develop 6. The Great War physically, intellectually and 1. Poetry emotionally. As he becomes ever closer Speaking about the likelihood of a war in to the Pearse family, he sees how hard John Joe finds a ‘slim volume of poems Europe, MacDonagh says that many of the the ardmháistir works, raising funds for written by the Ardmháistir’ in the library poor Irish have already joined the British his two schools, and attending (p43). Read and discuss the poem ‘Ideal’ army and that ‘thousands more will be meetings. When John Joe’s mother dies written by Pearse and translated from the recruited, or conscripted’ if war is declared just before Christmas, Pearse Irish by Thomas MacDonagh, paying (p62). Read Chapter One of The Guns of accompanies the grieving boy to the particular attention to the last verse. This Easter (ISBN 978-0-86278-449-2) and say house, coming to his rescue when his poem is included under the heading if you understand why Jimmy Conway’s father loses his temper and slaps him. Frustration and Jealousy in the anthology father enlists so that his wife will get ‘a John Joe joins the Fianna and drills, Irish Love Poems (ISBN weekly payment from the government’. marching and going on manouevres 978-0-86278-514-7). 7. Further Reading with them, while the possibility of war in Europe looms closer. 2. Blood Sacrifice Tomás Ó Criomhthain (1859-1937) wrote In an article entitled The Coming about his life on the Great Blasket Island in Read pp 38 – 64 Revolution, published in December 1913, two important works called An tOileánach Pearse wrote ‘We must accustom and Allagar na hInse. Read some of these DISCUSSION POINTS ourselves to the thought of arms …to the most interesting books and consider the p Willie Pearse tells John Joe that his use of arms … there are many things more effect the tragic drowning had not only on brother was an ‘outstanding boxer’ who horrible than bloodshed; and slavery is one Pearse, but also on Ó Criomhthain, whose was ‘afraid he might hurt someone’ so of them.’ Say if you think he was rehearsing daughter’s life had been saved by Eveleen he stopped boxing altogether (p40). such sentiments when he explained the Nicholls (pp41-43). What does this tell us about the ‘meaning of Home Rule’ to John Joe character of the headmaster? (pp44- 45). 8. More Reading p John Joe says that ‘any child would be John Joe quotes from one of the most lucky to have Padraic Pearse for a 3. Oil on Canvas famous speeches delivered in an Irish father’ (p41). Consider the truth or One of John Joe’s classmates refers to the courthouse (p60). Read about the life and otherwise of this statement in view of child in the painting hanging in the front times of Robert Emmet in O’Brien Pocket John Joe’s past comments about the hall of the school and says it was painted by History of Irish Rebels (ISBN amount of time the Ardmháistir spends ‘an Irish artist who is a great admirer of the 978-0-86278-857-5) (pp 40-44). See in his office, and on how exhausted he Ardmháistir’ (p47). This canvas, Íosagán, Jerome Connor’s sculpture of Emmet in St appears in the morning (p40). by Beatrice Elvery, represents the Christ Stephen’s Green, Dublin. p ‘There’s always been one law … for the child as a boy of about twelve, standing Protestants and another for Catholics’ with outstretched arms, and is currently on (p46). Bearing in mind that Pearse’s loan to the National Gallery of Ireland,

2 Unit 3 threatening parent/carer? topic of the necessity or otherwise of war in p Crime and Punishment: Pearse doesn’t self-defence. Family Squabbles mete out punishment to the boys because they tell the truth and admit to SUMMARY having told lies (p102). Would your Unit 4 principal/ teacher behave in a similar Conflict Resolution As the Russians, French and Germans way? Pearse said he’d achieved mobilise their armies, Na Fianna something when John Joe owned up SUMMARY Éireann joins the on a and told the truth, do you agree? trek to Howth where they help to Large numbers of recruits join the unload rifles and boxes of ammunition ACTIVITIES from the Asgard. Police and soldiers Volunteers, and the seven commanding officers train them. There is a rehearsal ambush them, but fail to disarm the 1. Tom Clarke Volunteers though they kill four for an uprising in the Dublin mountains innocent civilians. John Joe and his ‘A notorious republican called Tom Clarke on Easter Day and some of the Fianna, friends help to save the ammunition gave a ringing address at the graveside’ including John Joe and Roger, and bring it safely to the Countess (p66). Tom Clarke later became the first accompany the Volunteers. John Joe Markievicz. John Joe’s father becomes signatory of the Proclamation. His wife reveals his terrible secret to the increasingly violent and eventually Aunt Kathleen became a Dáil deputy and first Ardmháistir and is given permission to Nell leaves the house forever. Roger’s woman Lord Mayor of Dublin. Read her remain at St Enda’s for the summer brothers enlist in the Dublin Fusiliers, insider’s account of these years in holidays. Now part of the Pearse fighting continues in the trenches of Revolutionary Woman – My Fight for household, he is given access to Europe, and John Joe debates the Ireland’s Freedom (ISBN privileged information about the future purpose of war with his Ardmháistir. 978-0-86278-294-8). uprising. Roger’s brother is killed in France and Roger feels terribly bitter Read pp 65 –103 2. Your Country Needs ... about this waste of a young life. Consider the recruiting posters used to O’Donovan Rossa also dies, but he has DISCUSSION POINTS encourage men to enlist in the British army spent his life in the struggle for Irish p ‘Aunt Nell and I are conspirators against (pp88,92) and have a class freedom and large crowds turn out to my father’ (p68). Have you been aware poster-campaign to encourage people to honour him. Pearse’s graveside oration of the gradual change taking place in the consider the horrors of war or one to stirs the hearts of all those who hear it. relationship between John Joe and his promote the solution of global issues by Read pp 104 – 126 aunt? What, if anything, does this tell us peaceful means. The Imperial War about the relationship between John Museum in London has a very large DISCUSSION POINTS Joe and his father, or might it tell us collection of material on World War I, p Mr Pearse has told the boys that more about Aunt Nell’s openness to including some Irish recruitment posters. ‘chieftains in ancient Ireland gave one change and new ideas? (See also p85). You can search their Collections Online at another gifts after a battle, so their p ‘… the others are looking to me as their www.iwmcollections.org.uk. leader’ (p80). Can you trace John Joe’s conflict would not continue into the development from the rather solitary 3. Household Chores next generation’ (p94). John Joe also remembers that ‘in ancient Ireland and lonely boy of the first chapter to this John Joe helps Mrs Pearse to sweep, dust and battles were fought hand to hand…’ boy who has adopted the role of scrub, to boil sheets and to polish windows (p104). What are the merits and commander and leader? (p89). Read some of Olive Sharkey’s Ways of possible disadvantages of these ancient p Aunt Nell describes the outbreak of the Old – Traditional Life in Ireland (ISBN methods of solving disagreement? Great War as ‘a family squabble’ (p87). 978-0-86278-599-4) and write an account p John Joe realises that he would be ‘very Read John Joe’s description of what of the work Mrs Pearse might have done in unhappy’ if Roger weren’t with him on happened on the twenty-eighth of June the week before the return of the students. (pp 66-67) and also what happened the manoeuvres (p106). Yet his initial exactly one month later (pp 86-87). Can 4. Favours reaction to Roger was far from positive: you suggest a reason why Aunt Nell at first he thinks that Roger gives himself The boys ‘discuss chivalry and codes of airs and comments on how many might choose to describe the war in honour’ (p91), talking about the ‘colours’ domestic rather than global terms? sweets he eats and on the size of his given by knights to their ladies to wear. home in Rathgar (pp13-17). Trace the p Flight or fight? When his father Write an adventure story of your own in development of the boys’ friendship drunkenly raises a hand to him, John Joe which you win the heart of fair lady over the course of their time together. draws back before he can stop himself, through brave and fearless deed. though he knows this is a mistake, ‘that p Roger believes that his brother died ‘for always makes him worse’ (p88). What 5. Just War? King George’ while John Joe believes might have been the outcome had John Donald was ‘sacrificed for a cause that ‘But what can one do when one’s country’s Joe reacted differently? What advice was not his’ (p121). Do you agree with attacked?’ (p97). ‘Just wars should be would you offer John Joe if you were either assessment? Do you think his fought in, and unjust wars should be fought trying to help him to deal with a sacrifice was completely in vain? against’ (p100). Have a class debate on the

3 ACTIVITIES Unit 5 being beaten as John Joe had been, Changing Times what might your advice be? 1. A Light in the Window p ‘There is no place for cautious men in a Pearse explains that Joe Plunkett chose revolution’ (p148). Do you agree? SUMMARY that day as he ‘likes the symbolism of the p John Joe says that, at fifteen, he’s ‘too Resurrection’ (p105). List other symbols old to cry and too young to take part in Irish Volunteers now march openly that have become associated with political the Easter Rising’ (p153). How might through Dublin carrying rifles, and the or social events and say how you think you have reacted had you been Citizen Army, Cumann na mBan and these symbols have contributed to the assigned duties ‘well away from any the Irish Girl Guides also drill in public. success or failure of the movements. possible danger’? John Joe learns that, while Connolly and his Citizen Army want a socialist state, 2. In confidence ACTIVITIES Pearse and his Volunteers want an ‘Perhaps you had best tell me what it’s independent republic. Britain will like…’ (p113). Write the words John Joe 1. Human Rights Education willingly grant neither. John Joe realises might have spoken in the Ardmháistir’s that politics affects every part of his life Developing empathy and understanding office, beginning with the less important and learns more about the Irish for others is a key feature of human rights matters and ending an account of the Republican Brotherhood and the Irish education (HRE) today, just as it was nearly violence visited on his mother by her Parliamentary Party. A date has been set 100 years ago in St Enda’s. In small groups, husband. Visit www.endabuse.org or for an uprising, though it is to be kept consider the divided loyalties of boys such www.womensaid.ie for more information secret from chief-of-staff Eoin MacNeill. as Roger, and act a scenario where he tries on domestic violence and abuse. As Easter approaches, John Joe’s to explain his mixed feelings to a group of his schoolfriends. 3. Fly on the Wall thoughts focus more on Ireland’s resurrection than on Christ’s, though he 2. ‘I Have a Dream…’ John Joe says he’ll never know what his is too young to take part in the Rising. father said nor how he felt on receipt of the MacNeill finds out about the plans and List the goals and aspirations of James letter sent by Mr Pearse (p116). Write countermand’s Pearse’s orders, but the Connolly and his Citizen Army and Padraic and/or act with a partner the scene as Rising is to go ahead, beginning on Pearse and the Volunteers (p131), say Bertie describes his reaction to a close Easter Monday John Joe decides he where these visions for the future friend and confidante. won’t be left behind. overlapped and mention which, if any, of their dreams were realised. 4. Our Fenian Dead Read pp 127 – 158 The National Photographic Archive holds 3. Rights and Responsibilities DISCUSSION POINTS the photographic collections of the John Joe says that ‘independence is terribly p John Joe says that ‘many Irish people National Library of Ireland (www.nli.ie). important. It’s like growing up; being in don’t seem to care if they are Under the ‘Large Collections’ section of charge of your own life’ (p134). List the dominated by a foreign power’ (p130). the Photographic Archive web-page, rights conferred by independence and its What can be the outcome of feelings of information is provided on the Keogh accompanying responsibilities. Collection. This collection of images was powerlessness or apathy in a person or created by the Keogh Brothers of Dorset group of people? What can be done to 4. Home for Christmas? avoid or resolve these feelings? Street, Dublin and dates from 1915-1930. The House of Commons voted for p ‘England’s trouble is Ireland’s It includes personalities and events conscription on the Feast of the Epiphany, opportunity’ (p90). ‘… the enemy of surrounding the 1916 Rising and can be also known as Nollaig na mBan or our enemy is our friend’ (p133). ‘Your viewed online by entering ‘1916’ in the Women’s Christmas, a feast still first duty is to take your part in ending Subject Keyword of the online catalogue. celebrated, especially in rural areas, with the war’ (John Redmond MP, View the images of the lying-in-state in City freshly baked scones and tea. Read Waterford, August 1915). Read Hall, the removal of remains from the pp75-83 of Biddy White Lennon’s Best of pp20,21 of The Easter Rising – A Guide Pro-Cathedral and the burial of Irish Festive Cooking (ISBN to Dublin in 1916 by Conor Kostick and O’Donovan Rossa. 978-0-86278-930-5). Make some Lorcan Collins (ISBN buttermilk scones and serve them to the 5. Funeral of O’Donovan Rossa 978-0-86278-638-0) and discuss the class. Read pp 121- 126 again before arranging a opposing viewpoints of the Irish visit to the grave of O’Donovan Rossa. For Parliamentary Party, Pearse’s 5. Part of the Bigger Picture guided tours of Glasnevin cemetery, Volunteers and Connolly’s Citizen Army. Say with whom you most agree. The twenty-third of April, St George’s Day, including the Republican plot, contact is now celebrated as World Book Day, the p John Joe is the possessor of many secrets +353 1 8301133 or visit date of Shakespeare’s birthday. It is also but refuses to betray either the trust of www.glasnevin-cemetery.ie for tour the date on which the most recent Irish the Pearse family or his father’s violent schedules. census was taken. Discuss the huge and abusive behaviour (pp 137, 138). changes that have taken place since the Do you think he is right to keep these IRB chose this date for the uprising ninety secrets? If you knew a child who was years ago (p142).See www.cso.ie

4 6. Online exhibition DISCUSSION POINTS 3. From Pillar to Post ‘…the Volunteers don’t look very p Roger interrupts John Joe as he is John Joe wishes he’d ‘been there to hear it! professional’ (p147). The National Library thinking about Marcella and how his – Padraic Pearse read out the Proclamation of Ireland has an exhibition ‘The 1916 feelings towards girls have changed of the Irish Republic …’ (p178). In the (p167). In groups, discuss what he might Rising: Personalities and Perspectives’: pamphlet Step Together – From Pillar to have said had he finished the sentence www.nli.ie/1916 This study resource Spire (ISBN 0-9546150-1-8, OtherWorld draws almost exclusively upon the p John Joe is astonished when Roger Press) the poet Stephen McKenna, who collections of the National Library, angrily replies to the desk clerk’s was outside the GPO at the time, is quoted including its rich holdings of books, dismissive comments about the ‘Sinn as later saying ‘he felt sad for Pearse newspapers, photographs, drawings, Féiners’ (pp174, 175). Are you because the response from the crowd was proclamations and manuscript material. surprised that Roger expresses such chilling … Most were indifferent and went Over 500 images have been selected for concern for the ‘thousands of people in on their way, unaware of the significance study and analysis. As part background to Dublin who go to bed hungry every of what was about to begin.’ Read the full the 1916 Rising, the online exhibition night’? Has Roger displayed this side of text of the Proclamation (pp11, 12) and looks at John Redmond, the National his character before? imagine how you might have reacted to Volunteers and World War I. Examine p In his handwritten manifesto, Pearse Pearse’s words had you been present. some of these photographs and say if you writes that the men and women ‘who agree that the Volunteers ‘have their hearts have carried the fight this far’ have 4. Ninety years on ... in their eyes’ (p148). already ‘won a great thing. They have Study the special supplement to mark the redeemed Dublin from many shames, Rising’s 90th anniversary, issued free with and made her name splendid among The Irish Times on March 28th 2006. (An Unit 6 the names of cities’ (p204). Do you online version can be viewed at agree with this assessment? Easter Week, 1916 www.ireland.com/focus/easterrising). In p ‘What did we lose when they shot you?’ these sixteen pages are detailed accounts SUMMARY (p215). John Joe addresses this to his of the events of each day, with memory of his beloved Ardmháistir. Try photographs and maps – the full text of the Once the Pearse brothers have left, to answer his question, but first read the Proclamation is reproduced – and an John Joe collects Roger and they too set author’s note (pp218 – 220) and article outlining how the political parties off for Dublin where ‘rebels’ have consider in your reply Pearse’s today lay claim to the 1916 legacy. An occupied the General Post Office and educational achievements as well as the accompanying poster features a map on attacked Dublin Castle. The two boys events of Easter Week. which are marked the main centres of enter the Metropole Hotel without fighting in Dublin, a map first published in difficulty where they spend the night. ACTIVITIES a special Irish Times ‘handbook’ after the The next morning, the first squad of Rising. Volunteers arrive to take over the hotel. 1. The Guns of Easter Martial law is declared. The two boys ‘As we pedal into the city, at first everything 5. The Long Revolution find food in the larder, before another seems peaceful. Dubliners are enjoying In January 2006, President Mary McAleese three little boys arrive to join them, their holiday’ (p164). Jimmy Conway in addressed a conference titled The Long wanting to fight. Searching for food in The Guns of Easter had expected to spend Revolution: the 1916 Rising in context. Her the streets the next day, John Joe finds a that day with his uncle at the Fairyhouse words about ‘the small band who copy of the Proclamation and reads it races though he was to be disappointed. proclaimed the Rising … their deaths rise aloud. The fighting is getting closer, the Read Chapter 6 and 7 and see how far above the clamour – their voices shelling goes on and on and finally Jimmy’s mood swings from joy to despair insistent still’… provoked much comment snipers arrive to take up positions in the and back again as he walks in Sackville in newspapers and generated angry boys’ room. Seven more boys arrive and Street on Easter Monday morning. debate. The full text is printed in The Irish gives pistols to Roger Times January 28 and can be viewed and Conor and John Joe. When 2. Portrait of an artist, 1929 online at Connolly is injured, these three race to Jerome Connor was born in 1874 in cain.ulst.ac.uk/issues/politics/docs/poi act as stretcher-bearers. John Joe meets County Kerry, Ireland. Later, his father sold /mmca270106.htm. Read it, and if Pearse who has begun to order people the farm and the family moved to possible read the editorials, letters to the to leave the GPO, and several find Massachusetts. Jerome lived and worked editor, and the articles, which followed this refuge over a grocery shop nearby. By in the USA until 1925 when he returned to speech. Described as ‘the President’s Saturday, Pearse has surrendered in Ireland. Find out about The Patriot, dreadful speech’ by Kevin Myers order to prevent further deaths. The designed in miniature in 1927, which was (Irishman’s Diary, February 1st) and as ‘her Volunteers are marched off to await to feature a text in Irish ‘dedicated, 1932, very thoughtful address in UCC’ in a letter their fate. Within days, the seven to the heroes of Easter Week.’ The printed in the same paper February 4th, the signatories of the Proclamation are dead memorial was never realised. But a second reactions were extremely varied. What are but freedom is now on everyone’s lips: bronze was cast from the original plaster in your thoughts on her speech? they have given Ireland back her soul. 1991 for the National Gallery of Ireland. Read pp 159– 217

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