Holy Willie's Prayer: Burns against the kirk session
In short
Holy Willie's Prayer, written by Robert Burns in 1785, is a Scots dramatic monologue in which a self-righteous elder praises his own salvation while condemning his neighbours. It mocks William Fisher, a Mauchline elder who pursued Burns's friend Gavin Hamilton before the kirk session. Burns himself was summoned by that session in 1786 over Jean Armour's pregnancy.
What the full article will cover
- What is Holy Willie's Prayer?
- Who was the real 'Holy Willie'?
- What was the Gavin Hamilton affair?
- How did Burns clash with the Mauchline kirk session?
- Why is the poem still taught in Scotland?
Frequently asked questions
- When was Holy Willie's Prayer first published?
- Was William Fisher really disciplined himself?
- Did Burns marry Jean Armour?
- Is Holy Willie's Prayer an SQA set text?
Sources
- scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk — https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/holy-willies-prayer/
- robertburns.org — http://www.robertburns.org/encyclopedia/FisherWilliam17371511809.359.shtml
- scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk — https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poet/robert-burns/
- en.wikipedia.org — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Armour
General information, not legal or religious advice.