The Tinker's Wedding| J M Synge | PG S2 World Literature

Summary

In 'The Tinker's Wedding' by J.M. Synge, a two-act play set in the Irish literary revival, the central characters, Michael and Sara, navigate the complexities of marriage for respectability. Sara desires marriage to escape her tinker status, while Michael reluctantly agrees to maintain control over her. They encounter resistance from the priest and Michael's mother, Mary, who embody traditional tinker values. The play culminates in a violent confrontation, highlighting the tension between societal norms and personal desires.

Takeaways

• 🎭 'The Tinker's Wedding' is a two-act play by J.M. Synge, an influential 20th-century Irish dramatist.
• 🏛 Synge's work is linked to the Irish Literary Revival, focusing on themes of lost Irish cultural identity and nationalism.
• 👨‍🌾 The characters in the play are Irish tinkers, representing the peasant class and their way of life.
• 💑 The main characters, Michael and Sara, are in a relationship and face the dilemma of marriage for social respectability.
• 🌱 Sara desires marriage due to the societal respect it brings, which she feels is lacking in her current status as a tinker.
• 🚫 Michael is initially reluctant to marry but eventually agrees to prevent Sara from leaving him for a wealthier tinker.
• 🤔 The local priest is initially hesitant to marry them due to their lack of church attendance and their tinker traditions.
• 💰 The priest eventually agrees to perform the marriage for a fee of 10 shillings and a tin can.
• 🍻 Mary, Michael's mother, opposes the marriage and represents the true tinker community's values, believing in the unimportance of such customs.
• 🔪 Mary's sabotage includes showing up drunk to the marriage ceremony and stealing the tin can to exchange for more alcohol.
• 🤝 The priest is coerced into performing the ceremony, but later, due to the violence and threats, he refuses to marry them.
• 🏃‍♂️ The play concludes with the priest cursing the couple in the name of God after they tie him up and then flee in fear of the police.

Q & A

Who is the playwright of 'The Tinker's Wedding'?

The playwright of 'The Tinker's Wedding' is J.M. Synge.

What is J.M. Synge known for in the context of Irish literature?

J.M. Synge is known as the most influential Irish dramatist of the 20th century and is often associated with the Irish Literary Revival.

What is the main theme of 'The Tinker's Wedding'?

The main theme of 'The Tinker's Wedding' is the conflict between the desire for respectability through marriage and the traditional, non-conformist lifestyle of the Irish tinker community.

Who are the main characters in 'The Tinker's Wedding'?

The main characters in 'The Tinker's Wedding' are Michael Byrne, his mother Mary Byrne, his lover Sara Casey, and a local priest.

Why does Sara want to marry Michael in the play?

Sara wants to marry Michael because she believes that marriage, a Christian custom, will provide her with the respectability she lacks in her current tinker life.

What is Michael's initial stance on marrying Sara?

Initially, Michael is not very interested in marrying Sara, but he reluctantly agrees when she threatens to run off with a rich tinker.

What is the significance of the priest's request for '10 Shillings and a tin can'?

The priest's request for '10 Shillings and a tin can' is a condition for him to perform the marriage ceremony, reflecting his initial reluctance due to the couple's non-traditional background and lack of church attendance.

Why does Mary Byrne oppose the marriage?

Mary Byrne opposes the marriage because she represents the true tinker community and believes there is no real necessity for customs like marriage, which she sees as contrary to their way of life.

What actions does Mary take to sabotage the marriage?

Mary sabotages the marriage by showing up drunk to the meeting with the priest, arguing with him, and later stealing the tin can to exchange it for more drink.

How does the conflict with the priest escalate?

The conflict escalates when Sara and Michael get angry with the priest for refusing to marry them, leading to a physical altercation where they tie him to a sack.

What is the final outcome of the play?

The play ends with the priest cursing Sara and Michael in the name of God after they free him with the promise that he won't report them to the police.