Essay Questions

Why is Lucy not willing to give her heart to Ralph despite confessing that she loves him?

Lucy has grown a lonely girl under the care of the estate servants and employees after her parents departed to England while she was still very young. Lucy's father decided to relocate to England because he had accidentally shot, which put his life in danger. Lucy was unwilling to go during the escape to England, and she hid somewhere, and her parents thought she died. Therefore, Lucy remained behind till she matured into a woman. However, Lucy feels sad for what she did, and she is trying to locate her parents and ask for their forgiveness. Despite being in love with Ralph, Lucy must apologize to her parents first before giving her heart to Ralph.

What makes it difficult for Lucy and her father to connect after he returns from WWII?

Lucy's father left for England when she was still young. However, the father intended to go along with her daughter, but she was unwilling, and she decided to hide. After many years, Lucy's father returns to their house where they used to live. He finds Lucy, but the two do not connect because they view each other as strangers. The reader notes that a lack of maternal love can disconnect members of the same family.

What is the central dramatic irony in ‘The Story of Lucy Gault’?

The reader finds it satirical that Lucy falls in love with the same boy her father shot long ago. The main reason why Mr. Gault decided to relocate to England with his family was to run away from the British IRA's wrath. Ironically, Gault's only daughter and child fall in love with the same boy who was shot by him. According to the author, unexpected things happen, and people have to learn to be forgiving. The reader thinks that it could have been better for Guilt to seek forgiveness from the boy he shot and his family when the tragic shooting took place. Therefore, now that the same boy is likely to be his son-in-law, it might be challenging to ask for forgiveness.