Model Questions From J. M. Synge's "Riders To The Sea": Difficulty Level: Graduation

Riders To The Sea

J. M. Synge

Difficulty Level: Graduation      Time: 1hr 30 Mnt

J. M. Synge's "Riders To The Sea" Question Answers

1. Answer all the questions :- one or two sentences

i. Mention two stage properties for the enactment of the play Riders To The Sea?
ii.Who are the ‘riders’ in the play Riders To The Sea?
iii.“……….. getting holy water in the dark nights after Samhain”- What is Samhain? Does the holy water refer to the water of the christian church?
iv. “Is she coming to the pier”- What does the holy speaker mean by ‘she’? What is the ‘pier’?
v. What is the geographical location of Aran Islands?
vi. How is Nora struck by Maurya’s different reactions to the death of Bartley Michael?
vii.Mention two Greek dramatic feature employed in Riders To The Sea?
2. Explain with reference (any two) :-
i. They’re all gone now, and there isn’t anythings more the sea can do to me.
ii. No man at all can be living for ever, and we must be satisfied.
iii. I ‘ve seen the fearfullest things any person has seen since the day Bride Dara seen the dead man with the child in his arms.
3. Answer any two :- (50 words)
i. What is called chorus? Are Cathleen and Nora choric character?
ii. My heart is broken from this day- Who says this and to whom? Why is the heart of the speaker broken?
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iii. What is called tragic-irony? Give some examples from the text?
4.  Answer (600 words)
 What is called one act play ? Analyze Riders To The Sea as a one act play. 

Answer Sheet:

Riders To The Sea Question Answers:

1. 

i. Two stage properties for the enactment of the play Riders To The Sea are a spinning wheel and a black cloak.

ii. The 'riders' in the play Riders To The Sea are the spirits or ghosts of the drowned men from the family.

iii. Samhain is a Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter or the "darker half" of the year. The holy water mentioned here does refer to the water of the Christian church.

iv. The holy speaker refers to Maurya when he says 'she.' The 'pier' is a structure built out into the water where boats can dock.

v. Aran Islands are located off the west coast of Ireland in the Atlantic Ocean.

vi. Nora is struck by Maurya's different reactions to the death of Bartley Michael because Maurya seems to have accepted the inevitability of death and is almost relieved, while Nora is still deeply affected by the loss of her loved ones.

vii. Two Greek dramatic features employed in Riders To The Sea are the use of a chorus-like character (Cathleen) who provides commentary and the presence of tragic irony.

2. 

i. "They’re all gone now, and there isn’t anything more the sea can do to me." - Maurya says this line, expressing her resignation and acceptance of the deaths of her sons and husband. She believes that she has endured the worst the sea can bring upon her.

ii. "No man at all can be living forever, and we must be satisfied." - Cathleen says this line to console Maurya. She emphasizes the inevitability of death and encourages acceptance and satisfaction with the natural course of life.

iii. "I've seen the fearfullest things any person has seen since the day Bride Dara seen the dead man with the child in his arms." - Maurya says this line, referring to the tragedies she has witnessed. She believes that the sight of her son's ghostly figure on the grey pony is the most terrifying thing she has seen since the incident involving Bride Dara.

3. 

i. The chorus is a group of characters in a play who provide commentary, observations, or background information. While Cathleen and Nora serve as significant characters in Riders To The Sea, they do not fulfill the role of a choric character. Their primary function is to interact with other characters and advance the plot.

ii. Maurya says, "My heart is broken from this day" to Cathleen. Her heart is broken because she has lost all her sons and her husband to the sea. The continuous tragedies have shattered her emotionally, and she expresses her profound grief and sorrow.

iii. Tragic irony is a literary device in which the audience or reader is aware of a situation's tragic outcome while the characters are not. In Riders To The Sea, an example of tragic irony is when Maurya dreams of seeing her son, Michael, riding a grey pony, which foreshadows his imminent death. Another example is when Bartley leaves to sell the horses despite Maurya's warning, unknowingly sealing his fate.

4. 

A one-act play is a play that consists of a single act or scene, typically with a shorter duration. Riders To The Sea is a prime example of a one-act play. It follows a concise structure and focuses on a single tragic event, the loss of family members to the sea. The play unfolds within a short timeframe, and there is unity of time, place, and action. Synge's use of minimalistic dialogue, symbolic elements, and a small cast of characters further enhances the one-act structure of Riders To The Sea.

The play takes place in a single location, a cottage on the Aran Islands, creating a sense of confinement and isolation. The action revolves around Maurya and her daughters, Cathleen and Nora, as they cope with the recurring tragedy of losing their loved ones to the sea. The play's unity of place is essential in emphasizing the claustrophobic and cyclical nature of their lives.

Riders To The Sea also adheres to the unity of time. The events unfold within a short timeframe, allowing the audience to experience the intensity of emotions and the impact of continuous loss. The play captures the essence of a singular tragic event, highlighting the devastating effects of the sea on the family.

In terms of action, the play focuses on a central conflict: the struggle of the characters against the relentless power of the sea. The tension rises as each new tragedy unfolds, further deepening the sense of despair and hopelessness. The play's concise structure ensures that the audience remains engaged and absorbed in the emotional journey of the characters.

Synge employs various dramatic techniques to enhance the impact of the play as a one-act structure. Symbolism plays a significant role in conveying the themes of fate and inevitability. The recurring image of the sea as a merciless force that claims the lives of the family members reinforces the tragic nature of their circumstances.

The dialogue is minimalistic yet poignant, focusing on the characters' emotions and their responses to the tragedies they face. The sparse use of language heightens the intensity of the play, allowing the audience to connect deeply with the characters' grief and resignation.

Furthermore, the small cast of characters adds to the effectiveness of Riders To The Sea as a one-act play. The limited number of characters intensifies the focus on the central conflict and allows for a more concentrated exploration of their emotions and relationships. Maurya, Cathleen, and Nora bear the weight of the narrative, and their interactions reveal the complexities of their experiences.

In conclusion, Riders To The Sea embodies the qualities of a one-act play through its concise structure, unity of time, place, and action. J.M. Synge's masterful use of symbolism, minimalistic dialogue, and a small cast of characters amplifies the tragic nature of the story. The play's ability to evoke intense emotions within a short timeframe showcases Synge's skill in crafting a powerful and impactful one-act play.

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