Synge and Anglo-Irish Drama

First published in 1961, Synge and Anglo-Irish Drama is the first comprehensive critical study connecting John M. Synge’s writings not only to Irish life and drama but also to the broader European literary tradition. Drawing on extensive research and deep knowledge of Ireland’s literary and social history during the late Ascendancy, the book explores Synge’s use of Anglo-Irish idiom, his relationship with Yeats, and the turbulent history of Irish theater. It offers a systematic evaluation of key works about Synge and highlights the central theme in his writings—the tension between dream and reality. A must-read for students and scholars of theatre studies and Irish and English literature.