Riders to Sea

J.M. SYNGE

RIDERS TO THE SEA [Edited with a Critical Introduction, Complete Paraphrase of the Text, Explanatory Notes, Questions and Answers]

RAMJI LALL, M.A. Formerly Principal Dyal Singh College (University of Delhi) New Delhi

Twenty-Sixth Edition 2009

RAMA BROTHERS INDIA PVT. LTD. EDUCATIONAL PUBLISHERS Janak Plaza, 2021, Bank Street, Karol Bagh, New Delhi - 110 005

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Publishers.

Price : Rs. 90.00 © Reserved by the Publishers ISBN 81-7581-113-7 First Edition : 1984 Twenty-Sixth Edition : 2009 Published by : RAMA BROTHERS INDIA PVT. LTD. (Educational Publishers) Janak Plaza, 2021, Bank Street, Karol Bagh, New Delhi - 110 005. Phone : 28757313, 28755936 Tele-Fax : 91-11-28755936 E-Mail : [email protected] : [email protected] Website : www.ramabrothers.com Laser Typesetting at DEVIKA GRAPHICS 2125/59, Naiwala, Karol Bagh, New Delhi - 110 005. Cell. : 9910600554 Cover Printed at Mudrak, Delhi - 110 091. Printed at Chaman Enterprises, 1603, Pataudi House, Darya Ganj, New Delhi - 110 002.

PREFACE TO THE TWENTY-SIXTH EDITION For sheer literary artistry Synge had no superior during his time, whether in England or Ireland. He knew how to produce his effects with an economy of words, and how to work them out in their fullness. His imagination was selective and given to what in modern painting is called “distortion” in the interests of aesthetic significance. Riders to the Sea is a marvel of simplification and elimination of the irrelevant and the literal. The characters are symbolic or representative figures; the speech and setting are intensely local; but the tragic pattern, the passion and philosophy of sorrow are universal experiences. The publishers feel perfectly satisfied with the response to this critical study of Riders to the Sea and are glad to bring out another edition of it. New Delhi July, 2009

PUBLISHERS

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION Riders to the Sea is one of the best one-Act plays. It would be no exaggeration to describe this play as a tragic masterpiece. An intensely tragic effect has been produced through an utmost economy in the use of words. The characters, too, have been made real and convincing. The portrayal of Maurya is especially successful. This critical study of Synge’s tragic play has been designed to meet the examination requirements of advanced students of British Literature at Indian Universities. Not only the text of the play, but a complete paraphrase of the play has been provided. The play has fully been discussed from all angles, and important questions with complete answers have also been included in this book. Several chapters have been devoted to Synge’s life and his achievements in the field of drama. New Delhi March, 1984

RAMJI LALL

CONTENTS 1. The Irish Literary Background

1

2. J.M. Synge: His Life and Works

9

3. Extracts from Synge’s Autobiographical Note-Books

14

4. J.M. Synge’s Account of the Aran Islands

17

5. Synge’s View of Nature

25

6. Synge as a Playwright

29

7. A Critical Survey of Synge’s Plays

39

8. Riders to the Sea: Aspects of the Play

44

9. Riders to the Sea: A Detailed Analysis

50

10. Riders to the Sea: A Summary

58

11. Critics on Riders to the Sea

62

12. The Character of Maurya

66

13. Cathleen, Nora, and Bartley

70

14. RIDERS TO THE SEA [Text of the Play with Complete Paraphrase]

79

15. Meanings and Explanatory Notes

106

16. Explanations with Reference to the Context

130

17. Important Questions with Answers

146

Q. 1. Examine the structure of Riders to the Sea. Or Analyze the plot-construction of Riders to the Sea, showing how a unity of effect has been achieved.

146

Q. 2. What estimate have you formed of the character of Maurya from your reading of Riders to the Sea ? Or In what light does Synge depict the character of Maurya in Riders to the Sea ? Or Write a note on Synge’s portrayal of Maurya in Riders to the Sea. Or Would you regard Maurya as a tragic character ? Give reasons for your answer.

149

(viii)

Q. 3. What picture of the habits and beliefs of the poor seafaring people in the islands off Ireland coast does Synge give in Riders to the Sea ? Or Write, on the basis of your reading of Riders to the Sea, an account of the kind of life lived by the people of the islands which lie off the Irish coast. To what extent do the beliefs of these people contribute to the tragic atmosphere of the play ?

151

Q. 4. Bring out the role of destiny or fate in the play, Riders to the Sea. Or “Character is Fate”, said Novalis. Do you think this dictum is applicable to the play, Riders to the Sea ? Give reasons for your answer. Or Fate or character: who is responsible for the tragedy in the play, Riders to the Sea ? Or Examine the causes which operate to bring about the tragedy in the play, Riders to the Sea.

155

Q. 5. Bring out the supernatural elements in Synge’s play, Riders to the Sea. Or Comment on the atmosphere of supernatural mystery and fear in Riders to the Sea. Or Do you think that there are any supernatural elements in Riders to the Sea ? If so, bring out their significance and justification.

158

Q. 6. Write a note on the use of symbolism in the play, Riders to the Sea. Or Bring out the symbolic elements, if any, in the play, Riders to the Sea. Or What exactly does the sea in Riders to the Sea symbolize ? Has the author used any other symbols also in the play ?

160

(ix)

Q. 7. Do you think that the tragedy in Riders to the Sea is made more lurid by being presented through the medium of the old mother, Maurya ? Or Discuss the view that Maurya is an appropriate medium for conveying and precipitating the tragic sense that pervades Riders to the Sea.

163

Q. 8. Show how the play, Riders to the Sea, is pervaded by a sense of tragic doom. Or Would you say that the play, Riders to the Sea, produces in us a feeling of the hostility of fate towards human beings from its beginning to its end ? Or Bring out the dominant role which fate plays in Riders to the Sea.

166

Q. 9. Indicate the quality of dramatic art evident in Riders to the Sea, showing the manner in which it leads up to the climax. Or Examine the play, Riders to the Sea, as evidence of Synge’s sense of drama.

169

Q. 10. How far has the tragic climax in the play, Riders to the Sea, adequately been prepared by the hints and forebodings scattered throughout the play ?

172

Q. 11. Do you agree with the view that Riders to the Sea is a local play which has a universal appeal ? Give reasons for your answer. Or Show how Riders to the Sea transcends its regional character and acquires a universal significance. Or Comment on the view that the tragedy in Riders to the Sea attains a universal significance, although it deals with the fortunes of poor, uncultured people living under rude and primitive conditions. Or How does Synge impart a universal quality to the theme and the characters whom he has chosen for treatment in the play, Riders to the Sea ?

175

(x)

Q. 12. What is your final impression of the play, Riders to the Sea ? Is the effect one of bleak despair, or one of calm resignation ? Or Does the play, Riders to the Sea, effect a catharsis of your feelings of pity and fear, and kindred feelings, or does it simply depress and dishearten you ?

179

Q. 13. “The conflict is between the sea and humanity, singly and collectively.” Explain, and comment on this view of Synge’s play, Riders to the Sea. Or Some critics have found that the play, Riders to the Sea, affords no scope for conflict. What is your view in the matter ? Or Conflict is the essence of drama. How far does the play, Riders to the Sea, meet this requirement ?

182

Q. 14. Riders to the Sea is unique in dramatic history, for it is the only one-Act play that can be described as a tragedy in the fullest sense. Discuss. Or Would you regard the plot of Riders to the Sea as too simple and its characterization as too sketchy to produce an impression of the play as a tragedy in the fullest sense ? Or Do you think that Riders to the Sea possesses the requisite elements of a truly tragic play ? Or Do you think that Riders to the Sea is a great tragic play ? Give reasons for your answer.

185

Q. 15. What are the essential characteristics of a one-Act play ? To what extent does Riders to the Sea give evidence of possessing these characteristics ? Or What are the tests or criteria by which a one-Act play is judged ? To what extent does Riders to the Sea fulfil those tests ? Or Write an assessment of Riders to the Sea as a one-Act play.

188

Select Bibliography

193