Synge's The Playboy of the Western World

Introduction

John M. Synge portrays the symbolism characteristics of Irish culture. His play “The Playboy of the Western World” derives the attention of the viewer towards notable characteristics. This play represents the experiences Synge had in his life when he went to the west-coast region of Ireland. It highlights the characteristics of oral culture; appreciation of the western peasantry, living norms, and people's attitude influenced him to a substantial extent.

Main theme of the play, plot structure, individual character, values of the culture presented in the drama has certain implications that need to be analyzed. The play represents the period when west region of Ireland was affected from the economic and colonial factors (Jospeh, 374). This play highlights the preservation and cultural homage characteristics of Irish Society (Fraser, 43). Characters of the play, Christy Mahon, Pegeen, Quinn, and villagers encompass a particular message to the viewer deriving the attention of the viewers towards understanding the value of life.

The Playboy of the Western World and the Rebellious Behavior

Question that is addressed in this part is how does “The Playboy of the Western World” represent the rebellious nature of the society?

Every person may derive out different meaning from the actions of the characters that were highlighted in the play. The play renders the rebellious nature of the villagers against the society norms. It presents a combination of rebellions and their actions towards acceptable social norms. Role of Christy and women, highlighted in the play, is highly crucial in this context. First of all, it is necessary to examine how society values the unacceptable actions of a person that the judicial system of the country considers felonious. Role of Christy, in the form of playboy, is deterministic towards the responses of villagers. When Christy arrives in the Pub and tells his story about killing his father to the people, everyone perceives his actions an act of bravery. This propels the people in the tavern to admire his act; Flaherty praises him for his courageous act, his daughter start getting inspired by him, other female of the town also attract towards him (Saddlemyer, 88).

When Christy arrives in the town and tells his felonious act of killing his father, instead of penalizing him, people of the town associate positive characteristics with him. This has been supported through the comments of Pegeen associated with protecting the action of Christy. She said, “You did nothing at all. A soft lad the like of you would not slit the windpipe of a screeching sow” (Fraser, 51). Such response clearly presents the acceptability of harsh acts in the society. In the era, the play was written, differences in the judicial system and the communities were higher. People were highly committed towards their norms than valuing the prestige of the system. Similar concept was highlighted in the remarks of Mrs. Quinn when she visited to see Christy for the first time. On seeing the Christy, she said: “Well, are not you a little smiling fellow? It should ...