his family will starve. Maurya does not want her son to go to the sea in bad weather. However, 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 another scene, Cathleen tells Nora to give Bartley the rope for his journey out to sea. Nora says their pig was trying to eat the rope:

“I hung it up this morning, for the pig with black feet was eating it.”

The fact that the pig was trying to eat the rope suggests how poor the family is—they have no food for themselves and definitely no leftover food to feed the animals.

Dependence on the Sea: The islanders are deeply connected to the sea. The sea provides them with their livelihood. Fishing and trading are the main ways to earn money. The sea, however, is unpredictable and dangerous. It has taken the lives of Maurya’s husband, father-in-law, and five sons. Maurya says,

“They’re all gone now, and there isn’t anything more the sea can do to me.”

This shows how the sea dominates the lives of the islanders.

Faith and Superstition: Religion plays a central role in the lives of the islanders. They pray for protection and blessings. However, the islanders’ faith in God is mixed with superstition. They believe in good omens and bad omens. For instance, Maurya sees omens of death. She sees a vision of Michael’s ghost riding behind Bartley on a gray pony. The family believes this vision predicts Bartley’s death, as Cathleen says:

“It's destroyed we are from this day. It's destroyed, surely.”

This shows how the islanders try to make sense of their losses through superstitious beliefs.

The islanders gradually lose faith in God. Despite their prayers, they feel abandoned by God. The local priest assures that God will not take away Maurya’s last living son. Nora recalls the priest’s words,

“The Almighty God won’t leave her destitute... with no son living.”

However, this assurance feels hollow when Bartley dies. The sea’s power is portrayed as greater than God’s protection.

Community and Survival: The islanders rely on each other for emotional and practical support. When Bartley’s body is brought home, the neighbors help with the funeral preparations. An old man agrees to make the coffin. This sense of community provides some comfort in their grief.

In conclusion, “Riders to the Sea” paints a powerful picture of the islanders’ lives—poverty, full of struggle, loss, and resilience. The sea, while essential for their survival, is also their greatest enemy. The blending of faith and superstition reflects their attempt to find meaning in their suffering.