A Comparative Study on Amanda and Maurya as Widows in the Glass Menagerie and Riders to the Sea

Abstract

The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams and Riders to the Sea by John Millington Synge tell about Amanda and Maurya as widows that have conflict with their children. Amanda Wingfield as a widow has two children, Tom and Laura. Laura is a crippled girl and Amanda wants Laura to be an attractive girl and successful in career for the future in her life. Unfortunately, Laura does not obey her mother’s instruction that makes Amanda disappointed. Meanwhile, in Riders to the Sea, Maurya has lost her beloved husband and sons in the sea. Bartley is her sixth son who also will ride to sea like his father, grandfather, and brothers. He insists on his decision to Maurya, but she cannot prevent his desire, riding to the sea. Finally, Barley gets an accident before going to the sea and he dies. The method in this thesis is conducted by using inductive method; it means the analysis goes from particular idea to the general idea. In arranging this thesis, the researcher conducts a library research and internet browsing. The theory used in this thesis is taken from Theory Human Motivation of Needs by Abraham Harold Maslow. The thesis discusses the motivation of Amanda’s and Maurya’s needs as widows that build the conflict among their children. The result of this discussion is to get the understanding about the motivation of needs of the women who become widows.