What was Burns’ attitude to William Fisher and the other ‘Auld Licht’ supporters?
He supported their strong stand on religious matters
He rejected their views as stern and extreme
He understood their viewpoint but, on balance, preferred the New Licht
What does the dramatic monologue form allow Burns to do?
It lets Willie’s own words show how hypocritical and prejudiced he is
It creates a dramatic situation where Willie has to face his opponents
It comments as a narrator on Willie’s terrible actions
What does the metaphor of A burning and a shining light suggest about Willie’s view of himself?
A burning and a shining light
He spreads warmth and happiness
He is an inspiration to others
He is someone to be feared
What does the line Yet here I am, a chosen sample mean?
Yet here I am, a chosen sample
Willie is an example of a good person who pleases God
Willie chooses to sample the innocent pleasures of the world
Willie is one of the Elect, chosen specially by God
How does Willie behave towards women of a lower class than he is?
He exploits them sexually and then makes excuses
He falls in love and finds it hard to control his feelings
He respects them as servants as he is the servant of God
Why, according to Willie, does God allow him to commit the sin of lust?
To take the pressure off Willie of feeling he has to be perfect all the time
To avoid him becoming too proud, as he has so many good qualities
To even things up as everyone else has so many faults
What is Willie’s attitude to his enemies?
Embarrass them
Destroy them
Forgive them
What is the effect of ending Stanza 13 with the words kail and potatoes?
kail and potatoes
It shows us how petty Willie’s revenge is, directed at his enemy’s vegetables
It reminds us that this is set in the old Scottish countryside which Burns loved
It celebrates the ordinary virtues of hard work on a farm
What is ironic about what Willie says in stanza 16?
He is a proud man and yet he is begging God for help
He is a forgiving man and yet he does not want God to forgive his enemies
He is praying for God to ignore the prayer of others
What does Willie ask God for in the final stanza?
Peace and harmony for all in the church community
Support in the struggle ahead against his enemies
Blessings and wealth for himself