Riders to the Sea Literary Devices
Literary Terms
Tragedy: A sad story where people suffer or die. Maurya loses all her sons to the sea.One-Act Play: A one-act play is a drama with only one act. It has no long breaks or many different scenes. "Riders to the Sea" is a one-act play. It shows one sad story in a very short time. The play happens in one place without any change. It is short, simple, and full of deep sorrow. A one-act play has a single scene, short duration, and focuses on a single story or conflict.
Figures of Speech
Irony: When the opposite of what we expect happens. Bartley wants to earn money, but he dies instead.Imagery: Words that help us see, hear, or feel something. “White boards for a coffin” – helps us imagine death.
Symbols/ Symbolism
The Sea: Power, death, and fate. It gives life (fish) but also takes life (men). All of Maurya’s sons died in the sea.White Boards: A coffin or death. The girls bring whiteboards before they even know Bartley is dead.
Rope/String: Burial or preparation for death. The rope is used to make Bartley’s horse halter, but it also reminds of a coffin rope.
Clothes of Michael: A sign that Michael is dead. The priest sends Michael’s clothes from Donegal.
The Spinning Wheel: Women’s work, waiting, and time passing. The girls spin thread while waiting and talking.
Horse/Pony: A journey and also danger. Bartley’s ride to Galway Fair leads to his death.
The Stick (Maurya’s stick): Old age, weakness, and support. Maurya uses a stick to walk, and also when she goes to bless Bartley.