Teacher Guide

The Playboy of the Western World Lesson Plan

About the Author

Edmund John Millington (J.M.) Synge, one of Ireland's most famous playwrights, was born April 10, 1871, in rural Rathfarnham, outside Dublin. The youngest of five children, J.M.'s father died from smallpox when he was just a year old, leaivng his mother to raise the family under the strict and insular doctrine of Irish Protestantism.

As a young boy, Synge was often sick, forcing him to spend a great deal of time at home. Without the company of other boys, Synge roamed the surrounding countryside and became an avid naturalist. At the age of 16, he snuck Darwin’s Origin of Species into his bedroom, and lost his Christian faith upon reading of evolution. Synge felt this loss of faith as a...

Join Now to View Premium Content

GradeSaver provides access to 2368 study guide PDFs and quizzes, 11018 literature essays, 2791 sample college application essays, 926 lesson plans, and ad-free surfing in this premium content, “Members Only” section of the site! Membership includes a 10% discount on all editing orders.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in