A Study of Irish Cultural Identity in J.M. Synge’s Riders to the Sea

Abstract

John Millington Synge (1871-1909) is one of the most outstanding Irish playwrights. He is known for his realistic vision and authentic contributions to Irish drama. He was one of the earliest realistic writers to represent Irish society brilliantly in his plays. One of his greatest contributions has been his association with the Irish Literacy Revival. The Irish Literary Revival also called the Irish Literary Renaissance or Celtic Twilight began around 1885 and ended during the early twentieth century.  Though the primary aim of this movement was to gain home rule and independence from England, it also resulted in vigorous literary productions. Writers and scholars struggled to create works that were authentically and originally Irish. Here Synge played an active and key role in writing plays in stylized peasant dialect. He was a prominent figure in the Abbey Theatre of Ireland, founded in 1903 by William Butler Yeats and Lady Augusta Gregory, which opened its doors in 1904. Thus, he contributed immensely to the development of modern Irish drama and left an indelible impression on Irish literature. This paper aims to analyze Synge’s role in the Irish Literary Renaissance and the formation of Irish cultural identity vis-a-vis his play Riders to the Sea. Riders to the Sea (1904) is a one-act tragic play that contains both modern and classical elements of tragedy. This play deals with the sorrows and predicaments of human beings on Aran Island.  The paper will further explore the representation of Irish peasant society which is based upon his keen observation of the sufferings, perils, and traditions of Irish people during his staying in Aran Island.