Molly Maguire at

Question

Monmouth by William Collins
[Side note: June 28, 1778) The battle of Monmouth was indecisive, but the Americans held the field, and the British retreated and remained inactive for the rest of the summer.
On the bloody field of Monmouth
Flashed the guns of Greene and Wayne.
Fiercely roared the tide of battle,
Thick the sward was heaped with slain.
Foremost, facing death and danger, Hessian, horse, and grenadier, In the vanguard, fiercely fighting,
Stood an Irish Cannonier.
Loudly roared his iron cannon,
Mingling ever in the strife,
And beside him, firm and daring,
Stood his faithful Irish wife.
Of her bold contempt of danger
Greene and Lee's Brigades could tell,
Every one knew "Captain Molly,"
And the army loved her well.
Surged the roar of battle round them,
Swiftly flew the iron hail,
Forward dashed a thousand bayonets,
That lone battery to assail.
From the foeman's foremost columns
Swept a furious fusillade,
Mowing down the massed battalions
Use the passage to answer the question.
Cite evidence that shows a character rejecting cultural norms and ideas of the time period.
(1 point)
"And before their reeking
• bayonets / Clinton's rec
attalions flee.
"In the vanguard, fiercely ) fighting, / Stood an Iris cannonier.
"Quickly leaped she to the cannon, / In her fallen husband' O place, / Sponged and rammed it fast and steady, / Fired it in the foeman's face."
"Greene's Brigade, though shorn and shattered, / Slain and Oileding hat theirsen, hen
Turned and charged the foe

Answer 1

In William Collins' poem "Molly Maguire at Monmouth," the character of Molly Maguire exhibits a rejection of cultural norms and ideas of her time through her active role in battle, which is typically reserved for men in the 18th century.

The lines that support this are:

1. "In the vanguard, fiercely fighting, / Stood an Irish Cannonier." - Here, Molly is not merely supportive but is at the forefront of the battle, taking on a traditionally masculine role.
2. "Quickly leaped she to the cannon, / In her fallen husband's place." - This shows her willingness to take up arms in a moment of crisis, defying societal expectations for women to remain passive or supportive rather than engage directly in combat.

These actions highlight her rejection of contemporary gender norms and emphasize her courage and determination on the battlefield.