Riders to the Sea main character Maurya, an old peasant woman, standing on the coast

Riders to the Sea

by J. M. Synge

Start Free Trial

Editor's Choice

What is another example of irony in Riders to the Sea, aside from Bartley's cake being used by the coffin makers?

Quick answer:

Another example of irony in "Riders to the Sea" is the priest's assurance to Maurya that God will not leave her without any sons, which tragically proves false as she loses both Michael and Bartley. Additionally, Maurya's warnings about the sea are dismissed as superstitions, yet her fears are realized. Furthermore, Bartley's coffin is made from boards intended for Michael, highlighting the tragic anticipation of death in their community.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

Having lost so many loved-ones to the sea, Maurya is understandably anxious to avoid losing her two remaining sons, Michael and Bartley. She seeks comfort from the young village priest. Perhaps he has a better understanding of God's will; the priest confidently assures Maurya that God will not leave her without any sons. This turns out not to be true, of course. What is ironic is that the priest, who's supposed to be an intermediary between God and man, is completely and tragically wrong in his assessment.

As for Maurya herself, there is much irony in how she is treated by others. At various points in the play, her warnings about the sea are dismissed and ignored as if she were just a nervous old woman full of superstition. Yet Maurya's grim forebodings about the sea and its dangers turn out to be correct.

Approved by eNotes Editorial
An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

As the play opens, Maurya's son...

Unlock
This Answer Now

Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.

Get 48 Hours Free Access

Michael, it is feared, has been lost at sea, but his body has not be found. As time elapses, the certainty of his death becomes clearer, but remains unconfirmed. Boards to make his coffin are ready for the time when he body is returned to his mother. Two ironies develop from this situation. It is Michael's brother Bartley who will be buried in the coffin to be built with the boards, as he dies before Michael's body is found. Another irony is developed when it becomes clear that there are no nails to construct his coffin. As one of the villagers observes, “[I]t’s a great wonder she wouldn’t think of the nails, and all the coffins she’s seen made already.”

Bartley's death also emphasizes the basic situational irony that the story develops. By the conclusion of the play, Maurya has lost all six of her sons. In her village, parents bury their children whose lives are lost in the effort to survive the extreme poverty and hardship in which their families live.

Approved by eNotes Editorial