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,
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Answer
Who are the riders to the sea in Synge’s play “Riders to the Sea”?
In J.M. Synge’s (1871-1909) “Riders to the Sea” (1904), the riders are the men of the Aran Islands who risk their lives by working on the dangerous sea. They are called “riders” because they ride boats or horses (like Bartley riding a horse to the harbor) to earn a living through fishing or trading. But the sea, which gives them food and work, also takes their lives.
Bartley: The most important rider in the play is Bartley. He is the last living son of Maurya. He decides to ride the horse to the sea to go to the Galway fair. He hopes to sell the horse and earn money. Otherwise, his family would starve. Even though his mother begs him not to go, he does not listen. Bartley explains he must go, as no boats will go in two weeks or more. Bartley says:
“This is the one boat going for two weeks or beyond it.”
This line gives us a clear idea of how difficult the islanders’ life is. In the end, he drowns in the sea.
All Maurya’s Men: Maurya has lost all her men to the sea. She has lost her husband, father-in-law, and all six of her sons (Stephen, Shawn, Sheamus, Patch, Michael, and Bartley). When the play begins, Michael is already missing at sea for nine days, he is later found dead. Barley dies during the play. These men are the “riders” in the title.
Their deaths show how the sea controls life on the island. Every time a man goes out to the sea, it feels like a gamble—they might return with food or money, but they might also never come back.
In short, Riders to the Sea is about the men of the island who are all sea riders. They are trapped by the sea. They cannot escape it because the sea gives them theirUnlock this study guide now