““RIDERS TO THE RIDERS TO THE SEA”SEA”

AT A GLANCE:AT A GLANCE:• Author:Author: J. M. Synge J. M. Synge• First Published:First Published: Molesworth Hall, Dublin –February Molesworth Hall, Dublin –February

25, 190425, 1904• Type of Work:Type of Work: Play in one act Play in one act• Type of Plot:Type of Plot: Tragedy Tragedy• Time of Work:Time of Work: The late nineteenth and early The late nineteenth and early

twentieth centuriestwentieth centuries• Setting:Setting: An island off the western coast of Ireland An island off the western coast of Ireland• Genres:Genres: Drama, Tragedy Drama, Tragedy• Subjects: Sufferring,

Superstition, Christianity, Paganism

JOHN MILLINGTON SYNGEJOHN MILLINGTON SYNGE• Edward John Millington Edward John Millington

Synge (1871- 1909)Synge (1871- 1909)• Irish dramatic, author and Irish dramatic, author and

poetpoet• John Hatch Synge (1823- John Hatch Synge (1823-

1872) & Kathleen Traill 1872) & Kathleen Traill (1838- 1908) (1838- 1908)

• Hodgkin’s disease- March Hodgkin’s disease- March 24, 190924, 1909

• Cherrie Marie Louise Cherrie Marie Louise Matheson (1870- 1940)Matheson (1870- 1940)

• Much more of a listener than a talker; Synge's perfect mastery of Much more of a listener than a talker; Synge's perfect mastery of words is one of his greatest assets. Like Shakespeare, he can at once words is one of his greatest assets. Like Shakespeare, he can at once supply environment, create atmosphere, paint word-pictures. supply environment, create atmosphere, paint word-pictures.

• Synge has written that the first crisis in his faith happened when he Synge has written that the first crisis in his faith happened when he was very young, possibly around the time his father died of smallpox. was very young, possibly around the time his father died of smallpox. He was grasping with the concepts of eternal pain and damnation. He was grasping with the concepts of eternal pain and damnation.

• In 1888 he entered Trinity College, Dublin, studying Gaelic and Irish In 1888 he entered Trinity College, Dublin, studying Gaelic and Irish antiquities and graduated with a B.A. in 1892. These are the years he antiquities and graduated with a B.A. in 1892. These are the years he had started writing plays, inspired in part by his unrequited love of had started writing plays, inspired in part by his unrequited love of Cherie (Cherrie) Marie Louise Matheson. She couldn't possibly see Cherie (Cherrie) Marie Louise Matheson. She couldn't possibly see herself marrying a non-believer and refused him a number of times. herself marrying a non-believer and refused him a number of times.

• Synge travelled extensively in France and Italy. Wanting to make art Synge travelled extensively in France and Italy. Wanting to make art accessible to the common man, he formed the Irish Literary Society accessible to the common man, he formed the Irish Literary Society in 1892. In Paris, around 1896, he was to meet the poet W.B. Yeats in 1892. In Paris, around 1896, he was to meet the poet W.B. Yeats who would become a lifelong friend and mentor. who would become a lifelong friend and mentor.

• In the shadow of the Glen; Riders to the Sea; The Playboy In the shadow of the Glen; Riders to the Sea; The Playboy of the Western World; Prelude; The Aran Islands; The of the Western World; Prelude; The Aran Islands; The Well of the Saints; Deirdre of the Sorrows; The Tinkers Well of the Saints; Deirdre of the Sorrows; The Tinkers WeddingWedding

• Before one of the operations on his neck and previously, Before one of the operations on his neck and previously, Synge had expressed his anxieties about the fate of his Synge had expressed his anxieties about the fate of his manuscripts upon his death to his good friend W.B. manuscripts upon his death to his good friend W.B. Yeats. Yeats and Lady Gregory tried to oversee Yeats. Yeats and Lady Gregory tried to oversee posthumous publications but there were some disputes.posthumous publications but there were some disputes.

• "He was a drifting silent man full of hidden passion, and "He was a drifting silent man full of hidden passion, and loved wild islands, because there, set out in the light of loved wild islands, because there, set out in the light of day, he saw what lay hidden in himself."day, he saw what lay hidden in himself." W.B. Yeats, 1910 W.B. Yeats, 1910

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION• Yeats advised him that he would never surpass mediocrity if he Yeats advised him that he would never surpass mediocrity if he

remained in Paris, so, intent on finding his writer's voice, he travelled remained in Paris, so, intent on finding his writer's voice, he travelled back and forth from the continent to the rocky Aran Islands for a back and forth from the continent to the rocky Aran Islands for a number of years to live with peasant seamen and their families.number of years to live with peasant seamen and their families.

• It must have been on Synge's second visit to the Aran Islands that he It must have been on Synge's second visit to the Aran Islands that he had the experience out of which was wrought what many believe to be had the experience out of which was wrought what many believe to be his greatest play. The scene of "Riders to the Sea" is laid in a cottage on his greatest play. The scene of "Riders to the Sea" is laid in a cottage on Inishmaan, the middle and most interesting island of the Aran group. Inishmaan, the middle and most interesting island of the Aran group. While Synge was on Inishmaan, the story came to him of a man whose While Synge was on Inishmaan, the story came to him of a man whose body had been washed up on the far away coast of Donegal, and who, body had been washed up on the far away coast of Donegal, and who, by reason of certain peculiarities of dress, was suspected to be from the by reason of certain peculiarities of dress, was suspected to be from the island. In due course, he was recognized as a native of Inishmaan, in island. In due course, he was recognized as a native of Inishmaan, in exactly the manner described in the play, and perhaps one of the most exactly the manner described in the play, and perhaps one of the most poignantly vivid passages in Synge's book on "The Aran Islands" relates poignantly vivid passages in Synge's book on "The Aran Islands" relates the incident of his burial.the incident of his burial.

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• The other element in the story which Synge introduces into the play The other element in the story which Synge introduces into the play is equally true. Many tales of "second sight" are to be heard among is equally true. Many tales of "second sight" are to be heard among Celtic races. In fact, they are so common as to arouse little or no Celtic races. In fact, they are so common as to arouse little or no wonder in the minds of the people. It is just such a tale, which there wonder in the minds of the people. It is just such a tale, which there seems no valid reason for doubting, that Synge heard, and that gave seems no valid reason for doubting, that Synge heard, and that gave the title, "Riders to the Sea", to his play.the title, "Riders to the Sea", to his play.

• There is a wonderful beauty of speech in the words of every There is a wonderful beauty of speech in the words of every character, wherein the latent power of suggestion is almost character, wherein the latent power of suggestion is almost unlimited. In the quavering rhythm of the words, there is poignantly unlimited. In the quavering rhythm of the words, there is poignantly present that quality of strangeness and remoteness in beauty which, present that quality of strangeness and remoteness in beauty which, as we are coming to realize, is the touchstone of Celtic literary art. as we are coming to realize, is the touchstone of Celtic literary art. However, the very asceticism of the play has begotten a However, the very asceticism of the play has begotten a corresponding power which lifts Synge's work far out of the current corresponding power which lifts Synge's work far out of the current of the Irish literary revival, and sets it high in a timeless atmosphere of the Irish literary revival, and sets it high in a timeless atmosphere of universal action.of universal action.

OTHER INFORMATIONSOTHER INFORMATIONS• Published as a flip book (one side in English, the other in French, Published as a flip book (one side in English, the other in French,

under the title under the title À MER À CHEVALÀ MER À CHEVAL• Celtic art - was developed in S Germany and E France by tribal artisans Celtic art - was developed in S Germany and E France by tribal artisans

of the mid- to late 5th cent. Although some classical influence was of the mid- to late 5th cent. Although some classical influence was evident in Celtic work, most of the complex, linear, highly ornamented evident in Celtic work, most of the complex, linear, highly ornamented pieces that survive reveal an inspiration of great originality and power. pieces that survive reveal an inspiration of great originality and power. Stylized and fantastic plant and animal forms, as well as strong, Stylized and fantastic plant and animal forms, as well as strong, geometrical, intertwining patterns, decorated the surfaces of geometrical, intertwining patterns, decorated the surfaces of household and ritual vessels, weapons, and body ornaments. household and ritual vessels, weapons, and body ornaments.

• Irish literary renaissance- late 19th- and early 20th-century movement Irish literary renaissance- late 19th- and early 20th-century movement that aimed at reviving ancient Irish folklore, legends, and traditions in that aimed at reviving ancient Irish folklore, legends, and traditions in new literary works. The movement, also called the Celtic renaissance, new literary works. The movement, also called the Celtic renaissance, was in part the cultural aspect of a political movement that was was in part the cultural aspect of a political movement that was concerned with self-government for Ireland and discovering a literary concerned with self-government for Ireland and discovering a literary past that would be relevant to the struggle for independence.past that would be relevant to the struggle for independence.

• Symbolism of Celtic design in literary- The visual vocabulary of Celtic Symbolism of Celtic design in literary- The visual vocabulary of Celtic design expresses many messages. Those who are attracted to these design expresses many messages. Those who are attracted to these symbols and designs in modern times and who choose to use the symbols and designs in modern times and who choose to use the motifs of ancient times in today's world are often frustrated by an motifs of ancient times in today's world are often frustrated by an apparent lack of reliable information about their meanings.apparent lack of reliable information about their meanings.

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THEME: THEME: TRAGEDY comes w/ FAITHTRAGEDY comes w/ FAITH

• Tragedy- loss, pain, suffering, death, problems, test, dilemmas and Tragedy- loss, pain, suffering, death, problems, test, dilemmas and the like.the like.

• This play sum up the essence of the constant struggle of the islander This play sum up the essence of the constant struggle of the islander against their enemy, the sea. In human context, each and everyone against their enemy, the sea. In human context, each and everyone of us have different struggles and dilemmas to face. However, these of us have different struggles and dilemmas to face. However, these things will not be given to us by God if he knows that we can’t things will not be given to us by God if he knows that we can’t surpass it.surpass it.

• ““No man at all can be living forever, and we must be satisfied.”No man at all can be living forever, and we must be satisfied.”-Life is neither mine nor yours. It was just borrowed from God. We -Life is neither mine nor yours. It was just borrowed from God. We are all destined to die but, however, be contented and satisfied on are all destined to die but, however, be contented and satisfied on what we have now in present, we can predict but we can never tell what we have now in present, we can predict but we can never tell what will happen next. Let’s put our faith to God. He planned what will happen next. Let’s put our faith to God. He planned everything, more than that of what we need, desire and expect. everything, more than that of what we need, desire and expect. Tragedies are just test. A Test of faith and love. Tragedies are just test. A Test of faith and love.

CHARACTERSCHARACTERS• MAURYAMAURYA- an old peasant woman. She has reared six sons, four of whom - an old peasant woman. She has reared six sons, four of whom

are known to be dead, as are her husband and her husband’s fatherare known to be dead, as are her husband and her husband’s father• BARTLEYBARTLEY-- her son her son• CATHLEENCATHLEEN-- her daughter her daughter• NORANORA-- a younger daughter a younger daughter• YOUNG PRIESTYOUNG PRIEST• MEN AND WOMENMEN AND WOMEN(mentioned only)(mentioned only)• STEPHEN AND SHAWN- STEPHEN AND SHAWN- lost in the great wind; found after the bay of

Gregory• SHEAMUS, HIS FATHER AND HIS OWN FATHERSHEAMUS, HIS FATHER AND HIS OWN FATHER- lost in a dark night; no

signs found• PATCH-PATCH- drowned• MICHAEL- MICHAEL- 9 days on the sea and the wind blowing

SYNOPSIS OF THE PLAYAFTER nine days of constant grieving for her missing son, AFTER nine days of constant grieving for her missing son,

Michael, who, she feels certain, has been drowned, old Maurya has Michael, who, she feels certain, has been drowned, old Maurya has fallen into a fitful sleep. Her daughter, Cathleen, is busy with fallen into a fitful sleep. Her daughter, Cathleen, is busy with household tasks, when another daughter, Nora, slips quietly into the household tasks, when another daughter, Nora, slips quietly into the kitchen with a bundle given her by the young priest. It contains part kitchen with a bundle given her by the young priest. It contains part of the clothes taken from the body of a drowned man far in the of the clothes taken from the body of a drowned man far in the north. They have been sent to Maurya's cottage with a view to north. They have been sent to Maurya's cottage with a view to possible identification.possible identification.

As Maurya shows signs of waking, the girls hide the bundle As Maurya shows signs of waking, the girls hide the bundle until sometime when they shall be alone. Maurya's grieving for until sometime when they shall be alone. Maurya's grieving for Michael is now coupled with fear of losing Bartley, her only Michael is now coupled with fear of losing Bartley, her only remaining son. Five sons and a husband she has already lost to the remaining son. Five sons and a husband she has already lost to the sea. Will that insatiable tyrant insist on taking her sixth. The priest sea. Will that insatiable tyrant insist on taking her sixth. The priest says not. But now Bartley insists that he will cross to the mainland says not. But now Bartley insists that he will cross to the mainland this very day, in spite of winds and high seas, to dispose of a horse at this very day, in spite of winds and high seas, to dispose of a horse at the fair.the fair.

In a fit of pique at this only remaining son for not listening to In a fit of pique at this only remaining son for not listening to her pleas, Maurya let him go without her blessing. The girls persuade her pleas, Maurya let him go without her blessing. The girls persuade her to intercept him with the lunch they had forgotten to give him her to intercept him with the lunch they had forgotten to give him and so to make opportunity for that blessing a mother should have and so to make opportunity for that blessing a mother should have given.given.

While Maurya is gone While Maurya is gone the girls open the package. The the girls open the package. The clothes are, indeed, Michael's. clothes are, indeed, Michael's. Their only comfort is the Their only comfort is the thought that his body has been thought that his body has been given a good Christian burial given a good Christian burial there in the north where it was there in the north where it was washed up. At this point washed up. At this point Maurya returns terrified with a Maurya returns terrified with a vision she had had of Michael vision she had had of Michael riding on the red horse behind riding on the red horse behind Bartley. Now she is sure Bartley Bartley. Now she is sure Bartley is doomed. When the girls show is doomed. When the girls show her Michael's clothes her only her Michael's clothes her only response is that the good white response is that the good white boards she had bought for his boards she had bought for his coffin would serve for Bartley coffin would serve for Bartley instead.instead.

• Even as she speaks, the Even as she speaks, the neighboring women troop in, neighboring women troop in, their voices raised in the "keen," their voices raised in the "keen," that monotonous Irish chant of that monotonous Irish chant of grief. Men follow bringing the grief. Men follow bringing the body of Bartley who has been body of Bartley who has been knocked off a cliff into the surf knocked off a cliff into the surf by the horse he was leading. The by the horse he was leading. The play closes on the note of play closes on the note of Maurya's fatalistic submission. Maurya's fatalistic submission. She can sleep now with no She can sleep now with no worry but that of starvation. worry but that of starvation. "They're all gone now and there "They're all gone now and there isn't anything more the sea can isn't anything more the sea can do to me. . . . No man at all can do to me. . . . No man at all can be living forever and we must be be living forever and we must be satisfied."satisfied."

INTERPRETATION in GENERALINTERPRETATION in GENERAL• In real scenario, we will be experiencing these kind of In real scenario, we will be experiencing these kind of

things- the loss, pain, suffering and death but, let’s look the things- the loss, pain, suffering and death but, let’s look the world in a wider perspective. These things will serve as our world in a wider perspective. These things will serve as our opportunities and chances to give us our own battle and be opportunities and chances to give us our own battle and be the hero.the hero.

• For some point, this play is more realistic and painful rather For some point, this play is more realistic and painful rather than a dramatic story. Grief never seems to disappear in just than a dramatic story. Grief never seems to disappear in just a snap of your finger. It takes time; we should be hard as a snap of your finger. It takes time; we should be hard as rock, with God at the center , so that we can move on with rock, with God at the center , so that we can move on with our life and accept truths and realities with an open heart our life and accept truths and realities with an open heart and mind.and mind.

VIEW POINTS:VIEW POINTS:• What are Nora and Cathleen talking about at the beginning of the What are Nora and Cathleen talking about at the beginning of the

play? How does it affect Maurya, their mother?play? How does it affect Maurya, their mother?• What purpose do the nails, the white board, and the ropes have for What purpose do the nails, the white board, and the ropes have for

Bartley at the beginning and the end of the narrative?Bartley at the beginning and the end of the narrative?• How is Maurya represented in this drama? What makes her a tragic How is Maurya represented in this drama? What makes her a tragic

figure?figure?• Why does Maurya not allow Bartley to go to the Galway Fair? What is Why does Maurya not allow Bartley to go to the Galway Fair? What is

her premonition about this?her premonition about this?• Why is the play called “Riders to the Sea”?Why is the play called “Riders to the Sea”?• How is the sea presented in the play? In what way does it determine How is the sea presented in the play? In what way does it determine

the fate of the characters in this dramatic piece?the fate of the characters in this dramatic piece?• Explain “No man at all can be living forever and we must be satisfied” Explain “No man at all can be living forever and we must be satisfied”

in relation to Maurya’s reaction over the death of all her sons and in relation to Maurya’s reaction over the death of all her sons and husband.husband.

RESOURCESRESOURCES• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7rGs7px5Ok• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W885YFe93SI• http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=E_gGFRvMZq8&p=C39D49CBCFE80EC3&playnext=1&index=7• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw63m1ukRdQ• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSZe1EIo7NE• http://www.online-literature.com/synge/riders-to-the-sea/• http://www.one-act-plays.com/dramas/riders_to_the_sea.html• http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0425404/• http://www.enotes.com/riders-sea-salem/riders-sea