How do Nora and Cathleen Serve the Purpose of the Chorus?
Riders to the Sea is a notable literary work by John Millington Synge. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Riders to the Sea.
Answer
How do Nora and Cathleen serve the purpose of the chorus?
In Synge’s (1871-1909) “Riders to the Sea” (1904), Nora and Cathleen serve the purpose of the chorus, just like in ancient Greek plays. The chorus is a group of people who help the audience understand the story—they provide important information, foreshadow and react to events, and show emotions. Nora and Cathleen do the same in this play.
Provide Information: Nora and Cathleen provide important information. At the beginning of the play, Nora secretly brings in a bundle of clothes found on a drowned man. Nora and Cathleen examine the bundle to see if the clothes are their brother Michael’s. From this, we come to learn that Maurya’s son Michale is already missing at sea for nine days.
They also discuss their mother Maurya’s emotional state. It hints she is a broken woman after losing many of her sons at sea.
React, Foreshadow, and Emotions: Nora and Cathleen react to events. They help the audience understand the emotions of the play. When Nora and Cathleen realize that the clothes belong to Michael, they gasp and cry. Their sadness makes the audience feel the deep pain of losing a loved one.
On another occasion, Nora talks about the bad weather. She says the weather is stormy in the west:
“God help us. There’s a great roaring in the west.”
Nora’s comment about the impending storm foreshadows Bartley’s death by the power of nature. Later, when Maurya sees the ghost of Michael, Nora and Cathleen react with fear. This reaction makes the audience feel that something bad is about to happen.
In short, through their words and actions, Nora and Cathleen help the audience understand the play. They act as a bridge between the audience and the tragic events happening in the story, just like a chorus in Greek tragedy. Thus, Nora and Cathleen serve the purpose of the chorus.