Important Long Questions and answers of Riders to the Sea ,Class 12 Semester 4 ,Synge's Use of Dialogue and Language,The Role of Superstition and Religion, Synge's Use of Dialogue and Language,

1) The Role of Superstition and Religion

In Riders to the Sea, the lives of the islanders are a blend of deep Catholic faith and old pagan superstitions. Religion provides them with comfort, as seen when the young priest assures the family that God will not leave Maurya destitute. They use holy water and pray for protection. However, superstition is equally important because it reflects their fear of nature. Maurya is constantly watching for bad omens, such as the star up against the moon or the gray pony, which she believes signal death. While they trust in God, they also respect the terrifying power of the sea. Ultimately, their faith helps them endure the tragedy, but their superstitions show their daily struggle against the forces of nature.

2) Synge's Use of Dialogue and Language

J.M. Synge uses the simple, rhythmic dialect of the Aran Islanders to create powerful emotional impact without using difficult words. He replicates the "Hiberno-English" speech, which sounds like music or a prayer. This plain language makes the characters' grief feel honest and raw. For example, Maurya’s final speeches are very simple, yet they carry the heavy weight of total loss. When she says, "They are all gone now," the simplicity strikes the audience harder than complex poetry would. By using the natural language of the peasants, Synge conveys the harsh reality of their lives. The dialogue flows like the sea itself—sometimes calm and sometimes overwhelming—allowing the audience to feel the deep sadness directly.

3) Human Suffering and Endurance

Synge depicts suffering as an unavoidable part of life on the islands, where nature is both a provider and a destroyer. The play focuses on Maurya, an old woman who has lost her husband and five sons to the sea. Her suffering is constant and overwhelming. However, the true theme is her endurance. She does not collapse under the weight of her grief. Instead, she finds a tragic peace in the end. When her last son dies, she realizes the sea can do nothing more to hurt her. Her ability to accept this fate and continue with the rituals of burial shows the incredible strength of the human spirit to survive even the worst pain.