Seáinín an Mhótair

Role in the Story:

Seáinín an Mhótair is a minor but significant character in An Triail. He works in the 'teach tearmainn' and is an outsider in society, much like Máilí and Máire.

Key Actions in the Play:

1. Defends Máire: After the house where Máire was staying collapses, Seáinín criticises the neighbours for abandoning Máire and her child. He is disgusted by their lack of compassion and calls out their un-Christian behaviour.

2. Questions Society's Rules: Seáinín is vocal about the unfair treatment of people like Máire and Máilí.

Symbolism/Importance:

Seáinín an Mhótair represents the voice of conscience in the play. He is one of the few characters who sees the unfairness and hypocrisy of society and is willing to speak out about it.

Aidiachtaí

Cabhrach	Helpful
Cairdiúil	Friendly
Cainteach	Chatty
Cineálta	Kind

Ról

• Bhuail Máire le Seáinín an Mhótair nuair a tháinig sé go dtí an teach tearmainn ag bailiú éadaí nite.

  • Máire met Seáinín an Mhótair when he came to the teach tearmainn collecting washed clothes.

• Tháinig sé i gcabhair ar Mháire nuair is gá.

  • He came to Máire's aid when needed.

• Thit teach Mháire anuas, agus bhí sí féin agus a leanbh gan dídean.

  • Máire's house fell down, and she and her child were homeless.

• Tháinig Seáinín transna uirthi agus chuir sé déistin air nár chabhraigh aon duine léi.

  • Seáinín came across her and it disgusted him that no one had helped her.

• Nuair a fheiceann Seáinín é seo, cuireann sé an ceist tabhachtach ar an lucht éisteachta; "Cé a deir gur tír Chríostaí í seo?"

  • When Seanín sees this, he asks the audience the important question; "Who says that this is a Christian country?"

• Thug Seáinín síob do Mhailí agus Máire chuig teach Mhailí.

  • Seáinín gave Mailí and Máire a lift to Mailí's house.

• Féicimid é arís sa reilig, sa radharc deiridh, nuair a thugann sé achoimre dúinn ar chruachás Mháire; "Bhris sí na rialacha. An té a bhriseann rialacha an chluiche cailltear é."

  • We see him again in the graveyard, in the final scene, when he gives us a summary of Máire's plight; "She broke the rules. Whoever breaks the rules of the game loses."

Quotes:

"Cé a deir gur tír Chríostaí í seo?"

"Who says that this is a Christian country?"

"Bhris sí na rialacha. An té a bhriseann rialacha an chluiche cailltear é."

"She broke the rules. Whoever breaks the rules of the game loses."