the interest of “Riders to the Sea” go beyond the local and verge on the universal?
M. Synge’s (1871-1909) “Riders to the Sea” (1904) is set on the remote Aran Islands off the coast of Ireland. This famous one-act tragedy focuses on the struggles of a poor fishing family. At first glance, the story seems deeply local because it deals with the harsh life of islanders who depend on the sea. However, the play’s themes and emotions go far beyond the Aran Islands. The play touches on universal human experiences like grief, loss, and the inevitability of fate. This makes “Riders to the Sea” universal and relevant to people everywhere.
Loss and Grief: At its heart, “Riders to the Sea” is about the pain of losing loved ones. Maurya, the mother in the play, has lost her husband, father-in-law, and five sons to the sea. By the end, she loses her last son, Bartley, as well. This theme of loss is not just limited to the fishing community of the Aran Islands. Across the world, the islanders, who depend on the sea for livelihood, face similar losses. After losing all of her sons, Maurya’s feeling becomes the universal feeling of being left behind after losing everything. As she says:
“They’re all gone now, and there isn’t anything more the sea can do to me.”
The Power of Nature: The sea is a central force in the play. The sea represents nature’s uncontrollable power. It provides livelihood to the islanders but also takes their lives. This struggle between humans and nature is something everyone can relate to. Despite bad weather, Bartley knows he must cross the sea to go to market and sell his horse, otherwise, his family will starve. Bartley says no boats will go in two weeks or more:
“This is the one boat going for two weeks or beyond it.”
This line shows the helplessness of the islanders against the sea. Whether it is the sea, mountains, storms, or earthquakes, people everywhere face the challenges of nature.
Fate and Acceptance: The play also explores the idea of fate, which is a universal concern. In the play, the sea represents fate. Maurya cannot stop the deaths of her sons, no matter how much she prays or tries to protect them. The inevitability of death is something that everyone must face. When Maurya loses all her sons to the sea, she accepts her fate. She says,
“No man at all can be living for ever, and we must be satisfied.”
This heart-touching line shows her understanding that death is a part of life, on the Aran Islands and everywhere.
Human Resilience: Despite her immense suffering, Maurya remains strong. Her ability to endure loss after loss and still carry on shows the resilience of the human spirit. People around the world face tragedies and hardships, but like Maurya, they find ways to survive.
Emotions: The emotions in “Riders to the Sea”—grief, fear, love, and acceptance—are universal. Maurya’s effort to protect Bartley is everyone’s effort to protect their loved ones. When Maurya tries to stop Bartley from going to sea in bad weather, she tells that a son is more valuable than a thousand horses:
“What is the price of a thousand horses against a son where there is one son only?”
Everyone in the world can relate to what Maurya is trying to say.
To wrap up, although “Riders to the Sea” is set in a small fishing village, its themes and emotions are universal. It speaks to the shared human experiences of loss, the power of nature, the inevitability of death, and the strength to endure. This timeless story goes beyond its local setting and verges on the universal.
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