The well of the saints

A study of perception and reality in rural ireland

J. M. Synge

42 pages, parution le 31/03/2024

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Résumé

"The Well of the Saints" by J. M. Synge is a three-act comedy set in a remote mountainous region of eastern Ireland, several centuries ago. The play explores themes of perception, reality, and the human condition through the lives of Martin and Mary Doul, a blind beggar couple. The narrative begins with the couple's daily routine of begging and their belief in their own attractiveness, which is based on the deceptive compliments of the villagers. Their lives take a dramatic turn when a wandering saint arrives, offering to restore their sight with holy water from a sacred well. The couple eagerly accepts, anticipating a new life filled with beauty and admiration. However, the restoration of their sight brings unexpected consequences. Martin and Mary are confronted with the harsh reality of their appearances and the superficiality of their previous beliefs. The villagers, who once flattered them, now mock their disillusionment. The couple's relationship deteriorates as they struggle to reconcile their newfound change with their past illusions. Martin becomes infatuated with the young and attractive Molly Byrne, while Mary grapples with her own insecurities and the loss of her imagined beauty. As the play progresses, both Martin and Mary lose their sight again, returning to their previous state of blindness. This return to darkness symbolizes a retreat into the comfort of ignorance, where they can once again indulge in their fantasies without the burden of reality. Synge's play ultimately questions the value of sight and the nature of true beauty, suggesting that perception is often more powerful than reality.