Question

Which two of Synge's famous works were inspired by his time on the Aran Islands?

• A. The Shadow of the Glen and The Well of the Saints
• B. Riders to the Sea and The Playboy of the Western World
• C. Playboy of the Western World and The Rise of the Black Sheep
• D. Riders to the Sea and The Spreading of the Green

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Riders to the Sea and The Playboy of the Western World

• Riders to the Sea: This one-act tragedy is set on the Aran Islands and portrays the hardships faced by a family, particularly the mother, who has lost many of her sons to the sea. The sea, as a central force, is both a giver of life and a destroyer, reflecting Synge’s deep understanding of the harsh realities of island life.

• The Playboy of the Western World: While set in a fictional Irish village rather than the Aran Islands, this play was heavily influenced by the characters and social dynamics Synge encountered during his time on the islands. The play explores themes of identity, myth-making, and heroism, drawing on the kind of rural Irish life he observed.