Riders to the Sea | Summary, Characters and important questions

Riders to the Sea | Summary, Characters and important questions

Introduction:

"Riders to the Sea" is a play written by John Millington Synge. The play was published in 1904 and is considered an important work among the Irish playwrights. The play is the story of an Irish family living on the sea shore and reflects the tragic journey of this family, which is affected by the terror of the sea.

The story of the play is mainly focused on an old woman, Maurya (Martha), and other members of her family, especially her daughters and her sons. Maurya 's life is deeply associated with the sea, as her family always faces the sea related problems. The drama shows the sea as a powerful and uncontrolled force, which affects people's lives.

The major themes of the play include life and death, the dangerous effect of the sea, and the complexities of love and sorrow among the family. In this drama, many family members are killed due to the sea, and in a way the sea looks as a curse for them. The main message of the play is how helpless humanity is in front of the forces of nature.

"Riders to the Sea" is a deep, sensitive and emotional work that presents strict aspects of life and gives the audience an opportunity to consider their inner feelings and conflicts.

Main characters of "Riders to the Sea":

1. Maurya (Martha)

    Maurya is the main character of this drama. She is an old Irish woman, who has spent almost all her life in the pain of losing her family from the sea.

    She is a sad, tired but extremely strong woman.

    She has lost her husband and many sons in the sea and finally also to her youngest sons Michael and then Bartley.

    Maurya's character is a symbol of deep pain, helplessness, and religious belief.

    At the end of the play, when she loses her last living son, she gets a kind of peace and acceptance.

 

2. Bartley

    Maurya's youngest living son.

    He is a responsible and determined young man who intends to sell horses by crossing the sea for the maintenance of his family.

    Despite Maurya's refusal, he leaves for a journey and eventually dies in the sea.

    Bartley's character is a symbol of courage and life struggle.

 

3. Cathleen

    Maurya's elder daughter.

    Cathleen is practical, sensible and responsible.

    She is the support of her mother and gives emotional support to Maurya along with housework.

    Throughout the drama, the Cathleen tries to handle the situation, whether it is hiding the news of Michael's death or to comfort the mother.

 

4. Nora (Nora)

    Maurya's younger daughter.

    Nora is relatively naive and innocent.

    She, along with Cathleen, tries to hide the signs of Michael's death (such as clothes) from the mother so that the mother does not suffer even more.

    Nora's character is a symbol of tenderness and innocence in the family.

 

5. Michael

    Another son of Maurya, who has been missing from the beginning of the play.

    His body is recovered from the sea, but he never appears directly in the drama.

    Michael's death deepens Maurya's grief and is present as a hidden pain throughout the drama.

 

Other characters:

    Rural people - The drama mentions some villagers who help in identifying the dead body or shows sympathy to the family.

    These characters work to support the main story.

"Riders to the Sea" - plot (story)

"Riders to the Sea" is a One-act play. Its story is based on the Aran Islands of Ireland. The life of the people here is dependent on the sea, but the same sea also brings destruction to them.

The play begins with Maurya's house. Her daughters, Cathleen and Nora are engaged in household chores. They are worried as their brother Michael has been missing for a long time. A dead body has been found in the sea. But he has not been identified yet. Nora brings a cloth that was found in the body of the deceased. Both sisters hide her. they do not want mother to know the truth right now. Maurya is already broken by sorrow.

Bartley, the last living son of Maurya, is preparing to cross the sea. He wants to go to sell horses in the market. Maurya tries to stop him. She knows that the sea is dangerous. She has already lost her husband, four sons and a son -in -law in the sea. Now she is afraid of losing Bartley too. Maurya begs Bartley not to go. But Bartley is adamant on stubbornness. He says that it is necessary to take horses to the market. It is necessary to earn money for household expenses.

Bartley rides a horse and takes the other horse from behind. He leaves to cross the sea. Maurya gets unhappy and blesses him. She returns home with great fear.

Cathleen and Nora then check the clothes. They affirm that it is Michael's clothes. It is clear from this that Michael is dead. Both sisters now wonder how to give this news to the mother. They do not want the mother to be shocked to lose both sons together.

Maurya returns home. She looks tired and broken. She says she saw a terrible scene on the beach. She saw that a horse was dropping Bartley in the sea. After a while, some people of the village bring the body of Bartley. Bartley also died due to drowning in the sea.

Now Maurya completely breaks down. She says that now she does not face any fear. She says that now she has nothing left to snatch away from her. All his sons are dead. Her husband is also dead. Her soul has now found peace. She no longer has to face any fear.

At the end of the play, Maurya offers a compassionate prayer for the dead Bartley. She blesses him. She says that now she can sleep peacefully. Because she has nothing left to lose now.

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Questions and Answers

1. Q: Who is the author of the play "Riders to the Sea"?

Answer: The play is the author of John Millington Synge.

2. Q: Who is the main character of this play?

Answer: Maurya is the main character of this play.

3. Q: What is the main theme of the play?

Answer: The main theme of the play is the destructive power of the sea and the helplessness of human life.

4. Q: Who lost the relatives at the sea?

Answer: Maurya lost her husband, her five sons (Shewon, Pat, Michael, Sean and Bartley) and a son -in -law at the sea.

5. Q: Why did Bartley want to cross the sea?

Answer: Bartley wanted to go across the sea to sell horses in the market so that the expenses of the house could be run.

6. Q: How is Michael's death confirmed in the play?

Answer: Michael's death is confirmed by his clothes and shoes, which met with a dead body.

7. Q: What did Maurya say to Bartley while traveling?

Answer: Maurya blessed him and said that God should save him, because she knew that the sea was very dangerous.

8. Q: Which side does the title of "Riders to the Sea" indicate?

Answer: The title indicates those who cross the sea but fall prey to the wrath of the sea.

9. Q: With what emotion does the play end?

Answer: The play ends with a sense of grief, acceptance and peace.

10. Q: In what form is the sea depicted in the play?

Answer: The Sea is depicted as an invincible, ruthless and destructive power.

11. Q: How was Nora and Cathleen's behavior towards the mother?

Answer: Nora and Cathleen were very sympathetic and sensitive to the mother. They tried to save her mother from sorrow.

12. Q: What is the place of "religion" in the play?

Answer: Religion in drama is a source of consolation and tolerance. Maurya resorts to religious belief to bear her sufferings.

THE    END

What is your opinion? 

Do you also feel the helplessness of humanity with the sea in "Riders to the Sea"? Or can you have any other message according to story? Please SHARE your opinion in the comment section and keep your thoughts with me about this play. I shall wait for your response!

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