Riders to the Sea
- John Milington Synge
The
one act play presents a tragic condition of fishermen’s family caused by the
ruthless nature of the sea. Maurya, the major character is an unfortunate woman
who has lost hers six sons Bartley, Michael, Shawn, Sheamus, Stephen and Patch, her
husband and her father-in-law in the sea. The play revolves around Maurya’s
misery, her hardships, her worthless faith on God and her busy time for
arranging funeral procession of her male family members. Among her male family
members, Stephen and Shawn are lost in whirlwind, her husband, father-in-law
and Sheamus are lost in a dark night and Patch and Michael are drowned in the
sea. After losing the seven male members, she has Bartley as only one living male
member in her family. Nora and Cathleen are her daughters. As their mother,
these two girls can’t do anything except receiving the news of their brothers’
death and accepting that pain. Maurya, an ignorant and superstitious woman is a
typical mother who lives entirely for the welfare of her children, but she
becomes a victim by the merciless sea. She always prays to the sea and God for
the long life of her male members who depend on the sea for their bread. But
the sea swallows them one after another. In this condition, she can’t do
anything except praying to God and the cruel sea. Though she faces misery
gradually, she believes in God that one day he will help her and take her out
from the tragedy. But her hope is shattered when she loses her only one living
male member Bartley. She hopes that Bartley will be with her for earning their
livelihood. But Bartley insists on crossing the sea going to Galway fair and
selling his horses in high price. Although Maurya tries her best to stop him
from going there, he goes there without taking any food, her blessing and her
permission. While going to the fair, he rides on a red mare and grey pony
follows him, but on the way the grey pony knocks him into the sea and violent
waves cause his death. Now, Maurya again prays to God and mourns on the death
of her all members. She says that everyone has passed away. She prays to God
for making them together in another world. At last, accepting the ultimate
reality of life and death she says that no man at all can be living forever,
and we must be satisfied.
Some Word Meanings in Nepali:
- Ruthless- निर्दयी
- Mourns- शोक गर्नु
- Livelihood- जिबिका
- Tragedy-आपत/वियोग
- Misery- दुख कष्ट
- Swallows- निल्नु
- Shattered- भताभुङ्ग
- Funeral procession-अन्तिम संस्कार
- Blessing- आशिर्बाद
- Pony-टट्टू/ एक सानो घोडा
- Mare- घोडी
- Insist- जिद्दी गर्नु
- Merciless- कुरुर
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