Comment on the Significance of Maurya’s Vision in “Riders to the Sea”.

Answer

Comment on the significance of Maurya’s vision in “Riders to the Sea”.

Or, what is “the fear fullest thing” seen by Maurya?

Maurya is the central character of the one-act play “Riders to the Sea” (1904). Her fearful vision is very important in the play. Because it predicts Bartley’s death and shows the helplessness of Maurya against the sea/fate. 

The Fearfullest Thing: When Maurya goes to give Bartley some bread, she sees something strange and frightening. She sees Michael, wearing fine clothes and new shoes, riding on a grey pony behind Bartley. But Michael is already dead. So, it is nothing but a hallucination. Maurya describes this vision as “the fear fullest thing.” She says:

I’ve seen the fearfullest thing… I seen Michael himself… Bartley came first on the red mare… at the gray pony, and there was Michael upon it.

Significance of Maurya’s Vision: Maurya’s vision foreshadows Bartley’s death. Maurya immediately understands that something bad is going to happen. She believes that Michael’s ghost has come to take Bartley with him to the world of the dead. She says:

“He [Bartley] will be lost now.”

This moment is very sad because it shows that no matter what Maurya does, she cannot stop death. She cannot escape the sea/fate. Just like every islander, she is powerless against the sea/fate.

Her vision becomes true when Bartley falls into the sea and drowns after being knocked over by the grey pony. This proves that Maurya’s fear and sadness were right. She has lost all her sons to the sea.

In conclusion, Maurya’s fearful vision makes her certain that she will lose her last son Bartley. The vision prepares both Maurya and the audience for the tragic ending. When Bartley’s dead body is brought home, Maurya is not even shocked anymore. She simply accepts her fate.