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Similes
Act 1
Explanation and Analysis—Dynamic Irish English:
First published and produced in 1907, The Playboy of the Western World belongs to the Irish literary renaissance and is written in Irish English. The linguistic conventions of Irish English govern most of the text. Synge shows the dynamic character of this dialect by creating people who speak in every kind of sentence, from short and cagey to long and florid. One example of this is Christy's dynamic style of speech. He begins by speaking in short and rather choppy sentences, but as Pegeen begins to praise him, his speech develops alongside his reputation in the little Irish town. A conversation between Pegeen and Christy in Act 1 illustrates this development:
PEGEEN. If you weren’t destroyed travelling, you’d have as much talk and streeleen, I’m thinking, as Owen Roe O’Sullivan or the poets of the Dingle Bay, and I’ve heard all times it’s the poets are your like, fine fiery fellows with great rages when their temper’s roused.
CHRISTY. drawing a little nearer to her.—You’ve a power of rings, God bless you, and would there be any offence if I was asking are you single now?
In this scene, Pegeen showers compliments upon Christy's language, saying: "it's the poets are your like, fine fiery fellows." Her alliteration makes her speech even more poetic than his own and functions as a verbal tribute to him, as if he has inspired her to speak in this way. The newfound courage reflected in Christy's language translates to his actions; he bluntly asks if Pegeen is single. From his initial hesitation to his growing confidence, each stage of his changing character is represented by the changing style. Through Christy and the villagers, The Playboy of the Western World showcases the wide-ranging appeal of Irish English, its flexibility, and the various styles it encompasses.
Related Themes:
