J.M.Synge's Riders to the Sea is fraught with numerous symbols elevating the domestic tragedy to the position of a universal tale of suffering.Most of the symbols used in the play are archetypal in keeping with the classical spirit of the play .The most powerful symbol is that of Sea, the giver and taker of life.The islanders depend on it for their sustenance but it also snatches the live that it gives.Synge makes use of the popular belief that the flood tide induces birth while the ebb tide causes death,reminding us of shakespeare's treatment in Henry V.Like Shelley 's West wind,it is at once destroyer and preserver of life.The sea symbolizes the tragic destiny of the aran islanders.The sea is a supernatural entity over which even the Almighty God of the christians has no control.That is evident from Maurya' s rejection of the'young ' priest
Another archetypal symbol is the Riders.The menfolk of the island are all riders who ,in order to keep the family wheel a going, ride on the sea.Like Santiago,they venture into the sea only to be defeated reminding us of eternal human predicament.
There are several symbols associated with life and death.They exist side by side.Mention may be made of the red mare of Bartley and grey pony of Michael .While red stands for viriliy, grey symbolizes death .Bartley also sets out his fearful journey in the shirt that his dead brother left at home.,
The use of number nine is another important symbol derived from mythology.It is a triple trinity and therefore a perfect number.There is no news of Michael for nine days and Maurya weeps for her lost son for nine days.
Maurya's turing of the empty cup mouth downwards is another significant symbol suggesting a failure of christian solace and showing the pagan theme of suffering and renunciation. Thus, the symbols employed here bring out the tragic scheme of the play
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then I wanna know what does sons of the old women resemble? what are there symbol????
ReplyDeletewe know that the sea resembles the Death .
please could you answer me ...I need the answear
The sons specifically Bartley resembles a then present rider and the ghost of Michael resembles a dead rider to the Sea which plays both the protagonist and antagonist in the play.
DeleteMoreover the scene of the. Grey mare ( which Michael was riding ) kicking the red pony( ( ( which Bartley was riding )
As Maurya visualised prophecies the death of Bartley which eventually took place .
Moreover the constant death if her sons one after the other somewhere reminds us if Mayrya's cursed womb and so does tge inversion of the cup show hollowness and emptiness .
Hope this helps :)
The sons specifically Bartley resembles a then present rider and the ghost of Michael resembles a dead rider to the Sea which plays both the protagonist and antagonist in the play.
DeleteMoreover the scene of the. Grey mare ( which Michael was riding ) kicking the red pony( ( ( which Bartley was riding )
As Maurya visualised prophecies the death of Bartley which eventually took place .
Moreover the constant death if her sons one after the other somewhere reminds us if Mayrya's cursed womb and so does tge inversion of the cup show hollowness and emptiness .
Hope this helps :)
The sons specifically Bartley resembles a then present rider and the ghost of Michael resembles a dead rider to the Sea which plays both the protagonist and antagonist in the play.
DeleteMoreover the scene of the. Grey mare ( which Michael was riding ) kicking the red pony( ( ( which Bartley was riding )
As Maurya visualised prophecies the death of Bartley which eventually took place .
Moreover the constant death if her sons one after the other somewhere reminds us if Mayrya's cursed womb and so does tge inversion of the cup show hollowness and emptiness .
Hope this helps :)
You mean Michael resembles death for Bartley ?
DeleteYou mean Michael resembles death for Bartley ?
DeleteYes I meant that
DeleteDear anonymous,
ReplyDeleteSons of the old women represent the eternal human predicament...They put into practice the theory of doing and suffering.As flies to wanton boys,are they to Gods.Moreover, they show the dignity ,courage and all positive ideals that shows that the play is about glorification of human being.
too short for c.u exam ans.
ReplyDeleteyeah too short
ReplyDeleteToo short for cu exam
ReplyDeleteAs it is mentioned, symbolism is the strength of the play. The very title is symbolic of the endless march of human beings to the sea of life to perish themselves. The sea here stands for the all powerful nature which eats up the happiness of people. Whatever material possession one could arrange, he has to go to the sea of life at one point of time. The article is short, but is has the beauty of brevity. Visit Custom Essay Writing Service for detailed analysis on the play.
ReplyDeletePlease write about the symbolism of the cake made by Cathleen which Maurya wants to give Bartley but cannot..
ReplyDeleteComment on the significance of the opening sence of riders to the sea
ReplyDeleteWhat does cathleen wheel symbolize in riders to the sea
ReplyDeleteWhat does the spinning for in riders to the sea?
ReplyDeleteWho is the young priest? Why do maurya and girls keep referring to him?
ReplyDelete