Faery Quote by Eddie Lenihan
““And he got going from there to America. Worked his passage, I s'pose, like a lot more. And I heard he did well in America, too. Got married there. Had a family. But never came back. And you know why? 'Cause if he did, if he ever set foot in Ireland again, you know who'd be waiting for him, don't you? That's right. The three of 'em. And their box. And the second time they'd make no mistake. It is a much-overlooked fact that not all of the thousands who fled Ireland in former times did so to escape hunger, deprivation, and persecution. There were also those who went to escape the wrath of the Good People. Many stories illustrated this, the one here being typical. ””
About This Quote
Source Story: Irish Folklore Collection, 2020
A man fled Ireland to avoid retribution from powerful local forces, illustrating that not all emigration is driven by poverty.
In simple terms: People sometimes leave to escape personal danger, not just economic hardship.
Consider hidden motives behind major life decisions.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- emigration decisions
- family safety
- community conflict
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What unseen threats might drive someone to leave home?
- How do cultural narratives shape our view of emigration?
Not all migrations are purely economic; personal safety can dominate.