Genre
Drama
Language
English
Setting and Context
Early 20th century; Aran island off coast of Ireland
Narrator and Point of View
In the play, the audience is given access to the life of the principal characters through a stage that depicts the inside of their cottage.
Tone and Mood
Gloomy; portentous; tragic; mournful; fatalistic
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonist: Maurya; Antagonist: The Sea
Major Conflict
The main conflict concerns whether the sea will take all of Maurya's sons.
Climax
The climax occurs when Bartley's body is brought in, confirming that the sea has in fact taken all of Maurya's sons from her.
Foreshadowing
-The talk about the rope and the coffin foreshadow Bartley's death.
-The entrance of the old women immediately foreshadow Bartley's death.
-Maurya's vision foreshadows Bartley's death.
Understatement
N/A.
Allusions
-Samhein: All Saint's Day (November 1st)
-Connemara: part of the West Coast of Ireland in County Galway
-Donegal: a town in the County Donegal in Northwest Ireland
Imagery
See the Imagery section of this guide.
Paradox
N/A.
Parallelism
N/A.
Personification
N/A.
Use of Dramatic Devices
Besides those covered in the study guide, there are few others (for example, there are no asides, no chorus, no soliloquies). There is, however, falling action (Maurya coming to terms with the deaths of her sons), pathos, and recognition (Maurya recognizes she has lost her metaphorical battle against the sea).
