9-20-13
5th Period Drama
Objective Review: I really enjoyed reading Riders to the Sea. Although it was not always very clear and was slightly confusing it always kept me interested and I couldn't keep my eyes of the page. I loved the vocabulary that they used in the early 1900s. I thought that it seemed very classy and intelligent. I love the way John Millington Synge described how Maurya (the old woman) lost all of her sons to the sea. He uses very brief and to the point explanations of how Maurya's sons had passed. One thing I wish Synge would have done is explain who Michael is from the start. I was very confused and he never clearly pointed out whether Michael was a brother, a friend, a relative or any sort, or an acquaintance. If he would have pointed that earlier, the story would have been a lot easier to read and understand.
Five W's: Who: Written by John Millington Synge, There are four main characters: Maurya ( an old woman ) , Bartley ( her son ), Cathleen ( her daughter ) and Nora ( a younger daughter ); There are also other random women and men.
What: It is about a boy named Michael who gets lost in the sea, dies and is not found. His friends ( the main characters ) suppose that he is floating in the sea. They find a clothing item of his, then get the news that he is dead. So, the son, Bartley , goes out in search for him ( just before they receive the news ) and he gets killed as well.
When: It is written in 1906, but does not state when the play takes place. It is implied that it was the period of the late 1800s or early 1900s. This seems accurate because of the supplies they had and the lack of advancements in their speech and their lifestyle. Where : It takes place in a small house. I believe this because they speak of a stove , sweeping the dirty floors, and in a general rustic manner of living.
Why: The three main women in the play resemble the three fates from Greek