Genre
Tragicomedy
Language
English
Setting and Context
Baile Beag, a fictional village in Ireland, late August 1833
Narrator and Point of View
No narrator
Tone and Mood
Dramatic, Serious, Comedic
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonists are Owen and Manus. Antagonist is Lancey, Yolland and English Army
Major Conflict
The English Army has come to Baile Beag to anglicize the Irish place names and generally take control of the region.
Climax
When Yolland goes missing, Captain Lancey declares that if he is not found in 48 hours the English will shoot the Irish livestock, evict the families and tear down their homes.
Foreshadowing
Maire's distinterest in Manus' new job foreshadows his eventual heartbreak.
Understatement
Many characters understate their emotions, either getting drunk or leaving in the face of conflict.
Allusions
Allusions to ancient Greek and Latin poetry, to Wordsworth, to Greek mythology.
Imagery
The hedge-school is the central setting of the play.
Paradox
Manus gets the job, the income, home, animals and social standing he needs to marry Maire, but she no longer wants to marry him.
Parallelism
Manus demanding Sarah say her name at the end of the play parallels the opening scene in which he teaches her to do so.
Personification
Use of Dramatic Devices
Many events occur offstage, and we only hear characters talking about them, such as Yolland's disappearance, or the arrival of the soldiers, or the fire.
