Class 12 English Forth Semester Riders to the sea long questions and answers। Class 12 Semester 4 । J. M. Synge। WBCHSE very very important। Class 12 Semester 4 । J. M. Synge। WBCHSE Riders to the sea long questions and answers
Riders to the sea long questions and answers
Mark – 5
(***** ) চিহ্নিত প্রশ্নগুলি খুবই গুরুত্বপূর্ণ।
(১) Bring out the significance of the title of ‘Riders to the Sea’. (‘Riders to the Sea’- নাটকের নামকরণের তাৎপর্য ব্যাখ্যা করো।) *****
Ans. ✍ The title ‘Riders to the Sea’ has a deep symbolic meaning. At first glance, it indicates a connection between the characters and the sea. The word ‘riders’ typically refers to those who ride horses, but in this play, it bears a more profound significance.
✍ Bartley, the last surviving son of Maurya, sets out on horseback towards the sea. He meets his tragic fate in the vast and powerful sea. His deceased brother, Michael, appears as a ghostly rider on a grey pony. This vision reminds us of Biblical stories and Irish myths, adding new layers of meaning.
✍ Beyond the literal sense, the title reflects the universal human journey towards death. The sea is both a giver and taker of life. So, the title is simple but deeply meaningful for this tragic tale.
(২) Discribe the character of Maurya in the play ‘Riders to the sea’ . ( ‘Riders to the Sea’- নাটকে মৌরিয়ার চরিত্রটি আলোচনা করো।) 5 *****
Ans. ✍ Maurya is the protagonist of the one-act play ‘Riders to the Sea’. The whole play revolves around her, depicting her tragic fate. Her unusual power of endurance and stoic attitude win our hearts despite fate’s merciless cruelty. Maurya lost her husband earlier. She struggled hard to bring up her six children. Maurya visits the seashore almost daily. She hopes to find her son Michael’s dead body. Finding no trace, she feels sore and bitter. Her son Bartley insists on going a sea voyage to the Mainland. Maurya’s motherly affection raises two objections. Firstly, the rough sea will take him away. Besides, if Michael’s body is washed away, no man will be left to make a coffin. Again, she hopes the young priest will stop him. Maurya returns home. She has seen a vision of Michael riding a horse behind Bartley, his brother. She thinks it as a bad omen. She fears something terrible will happen. Maurya has now lost all her sons to the powerful sea. She is overwhelmed with grief. She finally resigns to the sea and accepts her tragic fate. She prays for their departed souls. Thus, Maurya’s sorrow and pain represent the grief of universal motherhood.
(২) Describe the character of Cathleen in the play ‘Riders to the sea’ . ( ‘Riders to the Sea’- নাটকে ক্যাথলিনের চরিত্রটি আলোচনা করো।) 5 *****
Ans. ✍ Cathleen is the elder daughter of Maurya in J.M. Synge’s one-act play ‘Riders to the Sea’. She is about twenty years old. She is the strongest and most mature, next to her mother. She cares for her family, especially her mother and brothers. She makes arrangements for the family’s food. Cathleen is mostly shown in the kitchen. She hides Michael’s clothes from her grief-striken mother. She worries about Bartley’s sea voyage to the Mainland. She is a dutiful girl. Cathleen ensures that Bartley gets the cake. So, he does not go hungry. Again, to her, young men must face the sea. She requests her mother to bless Bartley to avoid bad luck. She keeps Michael’s death a secret to avoid worrying. She arranges the funerals, of her brothers, Bartley and Michael. She is a practical and intelligent girl. She has immense power to adapt herself according to the time.
(৩) Describe the character of Nora in the play ‘Riders to the play’ . (‘Riders to the Sea’- নাটকে নোরার চরিত্রটির একটি সংক্ষিপ্ত বিবরণ দাও করো।) 5 *****
Ans. ✍ Nora is Maurya’s younger daughter in J.M. Synge’s one-act play ‘Riders to the Sea’. She is simple and innocent. She depends on Cathleen, the elder daughter for decisions. She brings the bundle of clothes that assures Michael’s drowning. She is curious and wants to open the bundle quickly. She believes the young priest’s words that Bartley will survive. The priest remarked that the Almighty God “would not leave Maurya destitude with no son living.” Nora is inmature too. She tries to hide her tears from her mother, fearing to upset her. She loves her family, like her elder sister, Cathleen. Her sorrowful remarks about Michael’s death and Bartley’s ill-fate express her sensitivity. She mourns that nothing remains of Michael except an old shirt and a stocking. Thus Nora’s character reveals innocence and emotional attachment to her family.
(৪) Would you regard ‘Riders to the Sea’ as a one-act play? Discuss. (তুমি কী ‘Riders to the Sea’-কে একটি একাঙ্ক নাটক মনে করো? আলোচনা করো। *****
[ OR ]
Write an assessment of ‘Riders to the Sea’ as a one-act play. ‘Riders to the Sea’-কে একটি একাঙ্ক নাটক রূপে মূল্যায়ন করো।) *****
Ans. ✍ A twentieth century one-act play is unique for its technique and style. ‘Riders to the Sea’ is one of the finest examples of this form. It follows the unities of time, place, and action to develop a single theme. The plot is simple. It catches the audience’s attention with moments of suspense and deep emotion. Within its short span, the play portrays Maurya, a sorrowful woman. She has lost all her sons to the sea. In the end, she resigns herself to the fate. The regional setting is realistic. It helps us understand the life and beliefs of the island people. The tragic mood is followed throughout with no comic relief. ‘Riders to the Sea’ is a perfect one-act tragedy with a universal appeal and a lasting, emotional impact.
(৫) Describe the setting of the play ‘Riders to the Sea’. How does it reflect the life of the people on the island ? [‘Riders to the Sea’ – নাটকটির প্রেক্ষাপট বর্ণনা করো। এটি কীভাবে দ্বীপবাসীদের জীবনের ছবি তুলে ধরে ?] [3+2] **
Ans – ✍ The play is set in a small cottage on a remote island off the west coast of Ireland. The kitchen has nets, oil-skins, a spinning wheel, and some wooden boards-items that show the hard life of the fishermen’s families. The sea, although never seen on stage, is always felt through the sounds and the characters’ words..
✍ This setting reflects the simple, struggling life of the islanders. Every object in the house speaks of survival and fear. The new boards lying near the wall even hint at death, as they may be used for a coffin. The environment feels cold and sorrowful, and it shows how deeply the sea controls the lives and emotions of the people living there.
Riders to the sea long questions and answers
(৬) Why does Maurya not want Bartley to go to the mainland ? How does this show her fears as a mother ? [মওরিয়া কেন বার্টলিকে মূল ভূখণ্ডে যেতে বারণ করেন ? এটি কীভাবে একজন মায়ের ভয়কে প্রকাশ করে ?] [3+2] *
Ans – ✍ Maurya begs Bartley not to go to the mainland because she fears the sea will take him too, just like it took his father and brothers. The wind is rising, and the sea is rough. She is old, tired and filled with grief. She has already lost so many sons, and Bartley is the last one left.
✍ Her strong refusal shows the deep pain and fear inside her heart. She is not selfish-she is just a mother who cannot bear to lose another child. Her plea is full of love and desperation. Even though Bartley insists on going, her worries come true in the end. This moment shows how helpless a mother can feel against fate.
(৭) How does Maurya react after Bartley’s death ? What change do we see in her attitude ? How does this end the play meaningfully ? [ বার্টলির মৃত্যুর পর মওরিয়ার প্রতিক্রিয়া কেমন হয় ? তাঁর মনোভাবে কী পরিবর্তন আসে ? এই পরিবর্তন নাটকের শেষটিকে কীভাবে অর্থবহ করে তোলে ?] [2+2+1] ***
Ans – ✍ After Bartley’s body is brought home, Maurya becomes very calm. She doesn’t scream or cry loudly like before. She has lost everyone, and now there’s no more fear left. Her voice is soft, and her face shows peace. This change shows she has fully accepted the pain in her heart.
✍ Earlier in the play, Maurya was full of worry and sadness. She begged Bartley not to go. But in the end, she stops fighting with fate. Her heart is broken, but she prays instead of crying. That peace in her shows that deep pain can sometimes bring silent strength too.
(৮) Why does Cathleen send Maurya to give Bartley bread ? How does she hope it will help ? [ ক্যাথলিন কেন মরিয়াকে বার্টলির কাছে রুটি দিতে পাঠায় ? সে এতে কী উপকার হবে আশা করে ?] [3+2]
Ans – ✍ Cathleen sends Maurya after Bartley with some bread, not just for food, but for love. She knows Maurya regrets not blessing him and hopes this chance will help her speak kindly. Cathleen wants her mother to feel peace. Even a small act, like giving bread, could fix a broken goodbye and ease their heavy hearts.
✍ She hopes Maurya will get a chance to bless Bartley. It might not change his fate, but it could heal some of her guilt. A mother’s loving goodbye is better than silence and fear.
(৯) “How would they be Michael’s, Nora? How would he go the length of that way to the far north?”- Who said this and to whom and when ? What is she referring to ? What does this line reveal about her thoughts ? [ কে, কাকে এবং কখন এই কথা বলে? সে কী নিয়ে কথা বলছে ? এই কথায় তার মনে কী চলছে, তা কীভাবে বোঝা যায় ?] [1+2+2]
Ans – ✍ Cathleen says this to her younger sister Nora while they discuss about the clothes possibly belonging to their brother Michael.
✍ Cathleen is talking about a shirt and a stocking that were found in Donegal. She doubts they belong to Michael because Donegal is far from their island. She questions how Michael’s body could have travelled such a long distance north by the sea.
✍ The line reveals that Cathleen is still holding onto hope. She is not ready to accept Michael’s death and finds it hard to believe he could have drifted so far. Her disbelief shows her emotional struggle between fear and hope for her lost brother.
Riders to the sea long questions and answers
(১০) “He won’t go this day, with the wind rising from the south and west.”- Who said this, about whom, and why ? What does this show about her state of mind ? [ কে, কাকে নিয়ে এবং কেন এই কথা বলে ? এতে তার মানসিক অবস্থা সম্পর্কে কী প্রকাশ পায় ?] [3+2] **
Ans – ✍ Maurya says this about her son Bartley. She believes the strong wind rising from the south and west is a bad sign. Having already lost five sons to the sea, she sees such weather as a warning of danger. Maurya hopes that Bartley will listen and cancel his journey to the mainland fair. Her words reflect a mother’s deep fear, shaped by her painful past. For her, the wind is not just weather, it’s a message from fate.
✍ It shows that Maurya Is deeply anxious and full of grief. Her belief in signs reflects how emotionally affected she is by her past losses. Her mind is so filled with fear that even a change in wind feels like a warning from fate.
(১১) How does Nora try to protect her mother in the early part of the play ? What does this show about her character ? [ নাটকের শুরুতে নোরা কীভাবে তার মাকে রক্ষা করার চেষ্টা করে ? এতে তার চরিত্র সম্পর্কে কী বোঝা যায় ?] [3+2]
Ans. ✍ Nora brings home a bundle from the young priest, which may contain Michael’s clothes. She quietly tells Cathleen about it and agrees not to show it to their mother, Maurya. Instead, they decide to hide it in the loft. Nora is worried that if Maurya sees the bundle, she might get shocked or heartbroken. Nora listens more than she speaks, but her silent actions show her care. She wants to protect her mother from pain.
✍ This shows that Nora is gentle, caring and thoughtful. Though she is the younger sister, she understands the pain their mother is going through. She may not take the lead, but her quiet support shows deep love and concern for the family’s emotional safety.
(১২) “He’s gone now, God spare us… I’ll have no son left me in the world.”- Who says this and when ? What loss does she fear ? What mood does this create in the play ? [ কে, কখন এই কথা বলে ? সে কী ক্ষতির আশঙ্কা করছে ? এই কথা নাটকে কী রকম আবহ তৈরি করে?] [1+2+2] ***
Ans. ✍ Maurya says this just after Bartley leaves the house for the fair. She feels helpless watching him go, fearing it might be the last time she sees her only living son.
✍ She fears that Bartley, like her other sons, will be taken by the sea. With all her previous sons lost to drowning, she believes the sea will not spare Bartley either. This fear fills her with deep pain and anxiety.
✍ This line creates a heavy and painful mood in the play. It sounds like a prediction, filled with sadness and fear. The words show how broken Maurya is. Her deep grief and helplessness fill the scene with a sense of coming tragedy and emotional weight.
Riders to the sea long questions and answers
(১৩) “The sea has taken all my sons.”- Explain how this line represents the relentless power of nature in the play. Comment on the emotional impact this line has on Maurya’s character. [ এই লাইনটি নাটকে প্রকৃতির অদম্য শক্তি কীভাবে দেখায়, তা বোঝাও। মওরিয়ার চরিত্রে এই লাইনের মানসিক প্রভাব নিয়ে মন্তব্য করো।] [2+3] [ Text Book ] *****
Ans – ✍ This line shows how powerful and merciless the sea is in the play. It becomes a symbol of fate and death. No one can fight or stop it. The sea doesn’t care about human love or prayers. It silently takes lives again and again.
✍ For Maurya, this line shows the deepest pain a mother can feel. She has lost every son to the sea. It breaks her heart but also makes her silent and calm in the end. Her sorrow turns into quiet acceptance. She understands that nothing is left to lose and only prayer is left.
(১৪) Discuss how Synge uses the sea as a symbol of fate, nature’s indifference, and the source of inevitable loss in ‘Riders to the Sea’. [‘Riders to the Sea’ নাটকে Syngeকীভাবে সমুদ্রকে ভাগ্য, প্রকৃতির উদাসীনতা এবং অনিবার্য ক্ষতির প্রতীক হিসেবে ব্যবহার করেছেন-আলোচনা করো।] [5] [ Text Book ]
Ans – ✍ In ‘Riders to the Sea’, Synge uses the sea as a powerful symbol throughout the play. It stands for fate, something no one can control or escape. Every man who goes to the sea in the play ends up dying. For the islanders, the sea is not just water, but a force that decides life and death. Synge also shows nature’s indifference through the sea. It takes people away without warning, without guilt. It doesn’t respond to prayer or love. Even when Maurya begs Bartley not to go, the sea still claims him. This makes the sea a symbol of unavoidable loss. The people cannot fight it. They only learn to live with its cruelty. It becomes their fate and their fear.
(১৫) Discuss how Maurya’s grief, resignation and acceptance of loss embody the theme of human vulnerability against invincible fate. [মওরিয়ার শোক, আত্মসমর্পণ এবং ক্ষতি মেনে নেওয়া কীভাবে অজেয় ভাগ্যের সামনে মানুষের অসহায়ত্বের থিমকে তুলে ধরে-আলোচনা করো।] [5] [ Text Book ]
Ans – ✍ Maurya’s journey in ‘Riders to the Sea’ shows how deeply humans suffer when facing fate. At first, she is filled with fear and grief. She has already lost five sons, and when Bartley plans to go to the sea, she pleads with him to stay. Her voice is full of pain and helplessness. But when Bartley’s dead body is brought home, Maurya does not cry loudly. Instead, she accepts it with a tired calm. She prays for all her lost loved ones and says no one can live forever. This change in her shows how humans, no matter how strong, must bow before fate. Maurya’s silence in the end is powerful. it shows that deep acceptance can be stronger than loud grief.
(১৬) “I’ve no halter the way I can ride down on the mare, and I must go now quickly. This is the one boat going for two weeks or, beyond it.” – Who says these lines and to whom ? Why is he in a hurry ? Why does Maurya ask him to leave the rope ? (“আমার কাছে কোনো লাগাম নেই, তাই আমাকে ঘোড়ার পিঠে চড়ে যেতে হবে, এবং আমাকে এখনই দ্রুত রওনা দিতে হবে। এটিই একমাত্র নৌকা যা দুই সপ্তাহ বা তারও বেশি সময়ের জন্য যাচ্ছে।” -কে এই লাইনগুলোর বক্তা এবং কাকে বলেছে ? কেন তার এত তাড়া ? কেন মৌরিয়া দড়িটি রেখে যেতে বলছে ?) 2+3 = 5
Ans – ✍ Bartley says these lines to Maurya, his old mother.
✍ Bartley is in a hurry. There is no other boat to the mainland for two weeks. He wants to sell the horses at the Galway fair in a good price. So, he must go.
✍ Bartley needs the rope in order to make a halter from it. Maurya asks him to leave the rope for Michael’s burial. The dead body of Michael is expected to be washed ashore soon.
Riders to the sea long questions and answers
(১৭) “It’s hard set we’ll be surely the day you’re drowned with the rest. What way will live and the girls with me, and I am old woman looking for the grave.” – Who says these words and to whom ? What kind of life does the speaker imagine in future ? (“নিশ্চয়ই আমাদের জন্য খুব কঠিন হয়ে যাবে যেদিন তুমি অন্যদের মতো ডুবে যাবে, আমি আর মেয়েরা কীভাবে বাঁচব, আমি তো বুড়ি, কবরের দিকে তাকিয়ে আছি।”– এই শব্দগুলোর বক্তা কে এবং কাকে বলেছেন ? বক্তা ভবিষ্যতে কী ধরনের জীবন কল্পনা করছেন ?)
Ans – ✍ Maurya says these words to her only surviving son, Bartley.
✍ Maurya warns Bartley not to sail to the Mainland because the sea is stormy. However, Bartley does not listen to her advice. Maurya is deeply worried about the future of her daughters. She knows well that there is no male member left in the family. So, getting help during hard times is difficult. She feels helpless and lonely. She is on the verge of death both physically and mentally.
(১৮) “It’s the life of a young man to be going on the sea, and who would listen to an old woman with one thing and she saying it over ?” – Who says these words and to whom ? Why does the speaker support Bartley’s decision to go to the sea ? (“এক যুবকের জীবন তো সমুদ্রে যাওয়ার জন্যই, আর কে শুনবে এক বৃদ্ধার কথা যে শুধু একটাই কথা বলে এবং বারবার তাই বলে?”– এই কথাগুলো কে বলেছে এবং কাকে বলেছে ? কেন বক্তা বার্টলির সমুদ্রে যাওয়ার সিদ্ধান্তকে সমর্থন করেছে ?) 2+3
Ans – ✍ Here, Cathleen is the speaker. She says this to her mother, Maurya. Later, Bartley is also present.
✍ Cathleen defends Bartley’s decision to go to sea. A young man living by the sea has duties and responsibilities. Bartley cannot stay idle at home. It is natural for him to go to sea to sell horses. She also rebukes her mother for warning Bartley again and again.
(১৯) “Why wouldn’t you give him your blessing and he looking round in the door? Isn’t it sorrow enough is on every one in this house without you sending him out with an unlucky word behind him, and a hard word in his ear ?” – Who says these words to whom ? Why does the speaker rebuke her mother after Bartley leaves the house ? (“কেন তুমি তাকে তোমার আশীর্বাদ দিলে না, যখন সে দরজার দিকে ঘুরে তাকাচ্ছিল? তাকে পেছন থেকে অপয়া কথা বলে এবং তার কানে কঠোর কথা বলে, বিদায় দেওয়া কি যথেষ্ট দুঃখের নয়?” – কে এই কথাগুলো কাকে বলেছে? বার্টলির বাড়ি ছেড়ে চলে যাওয়ার পর, বক্তার তার মাকে তিরস্কার করার কারণ কী ?) 2+3
Ans – ✍ Cathleen says these words to her grief-striken mother Maurya.
✍ Cathleen scolds her mother after Bartley leaves the house. Bartley looked back at the door while leaving the house. Cathleen says her mother should have given him her blessing. Enough sorrow has already occurred in their house. Maurya’s unlucky words made things worse.
(২০) “And isn’t it a pitiful thing when there is nothing left of a man who was a great rower and fisher but a bit of an old shirt and a plain stocking ?” – Who says these words to whom and when ? What does the speaker mean here ? (“আর এটাও কি খুব দুঃখজনক নয়, যে মানুষটা এত ভালো মাঝি আর মৎস্যজীবী ছিল তার পুরানো জামা আর এক টুকরো সাদামাটা মোজা ছাড়া কিছুই অবশিষ্ট নেই?”– কে এই কথাগুলো কাকে এবং কখন বলেছে ? এখানে বক্তা কী বোঝাতে চেয়েছে ?)3 + 2
Ans – ✍ Nora says these words to her elder sister, Cathleen, in J. M. Synge’s one-act play ‘Riders to the Sea’. She opens the bundle of clothes given by the young priest. She finds Michael’s shirt and a stocking inside. Then she speaks the words.
✍ Nora sadly expresses that nothing is left of Michael. Once, he was a strong and skilful man. He was a great rower and fisherman. Now, only an old shirt and a stocking remain to remember him by.
Riders to the sea long questions and answers
(২১) “I’ve had a husband, and a husband’s father, and six sons in this house six fine men, though it was a hard birth I had with everyone of them and they coming to the world and some of them were found and some of them were not found. But they’ve gone now the lot of them.” Who says these lines to whom and when? What do these lines show about the speaker’s suffering ? (“ এই বাড়িতে আমার স্বামী ছিল, স্বামীর পিতা ছিল, ছয় পুত্রসন্তান ছিল, ছয় জন সুন্দর মানুষ, প্রত্যেকের জন্মের সময়ই খুব কষ্টের ছিল, তারপর তারা পৃথিবীতে এল। তাদের কাউকে খুঁজে পাওয়া গিয়েছিল, কাউকে খুঁজে পাওয়া যায়নি, কিন্তু তারা চলে গেল, সকলেই চলে গেল।” -কে এই কথাগুলো কাকে এবং কখন বলেছে ? এই লাইনগুলো কীভাবে বক্তার দুঃখের প্রকাশ ঘটায় ?) ****
Ans – ✍ Maurya says these words to her daughters, Cathleen and Nora.
✍ She says this after she has seen Michael’s ghost riding the grey pony. This is an omen. Bartley, the last surviving son, is also going to die.
✍ Maurya has suffered many losses. All the male members in her family her husband, father-in-law, and six sons are dead. Some bodies were found, and some were not. The sea has snatched them all. Thus, the lines expresses human helplessness against Nature. We feel great sympathy for her.
(২২) Do you think that ‘Riders to the Sea’ possesses the necessary elements of a truly tragic play ? Discuss. (তুমি কী মনে করো ‘Riders to the Sea’ নাটকে প্রয়োজনীয় সত্যিকারের বিয়োগান্ত নাটকের সমস্ত উপাদান রয়েছে? আলোচনা করো। ) **
[Or], Discuss how ‘Riders to the Sea’ is a tragedy.
[অথবা], একটি বিয়োগান্ত নাটক হিসেবে ‘Riders to the Sea’-এর আলোচনা করো।) **
Ans – ✍ The one-act play ‘Riders to the Sea’ by J.M. Synge is regarded as a masterpiece of tragedy. The play follows the structure of exposition, rising action, climax, and resolution. The play opens in Maurya’s cottage. The two sisters, Nora and Cathleen, talk about a bundle to confirm Michael’s death. Bartley, the only surviving son, insists on going to the Mainland. Maurya objects out of motherly affection. She fears the rough sea and lack of a man to make Michael’s coffin. Later, Bartley dies. The clothes in the bundle confirm Michael’s death as well. Maurya has now lost all her sons to the powerful sea. Finally, she resigns to the sea and accept her tragic fate. The unity of time, place and action is strictly followed. Thus, Maurya represents all suffering mothers. The play is a perfect tragedy within its short span.
Riders to the sea long questions and answers
আরও পড়ুন –
হারুন সালেমের মাসি গল্পের প্রশ্ন উত্তর
তিমির হননের গান কবিতার প্রশ্ন উত্তর
নানা রঙের দিন নাটকের বড় প্রশ্ন উত্তর
বাঙালির চিত্রকলার ইতিহাস – সংক্ষিপ্ত রূপরেখা প্রশ্ন উত্তর
বাঙালির চলচ্চিত্রের ইতিহাস – সংক্ষিপ্ত রূপরেখা প্রশ্ন উত্তর
YouTube – Samim Sir