The Well of the Saints

John Millington Synge’s The Well of the Saints tells the story of Martin and Mary Doul, a blind husband and wife who beg along the side of a village road. A traveling saint comes to the village, carrying water from the famous well of the saints. He heals the pair, returning sight to them. However, rather than being thankful, Martin turns scornful when he realizes that his wife was not the great beauty the villagers claimed she was. Mary retaliates and mocks her husband, and she is sent away from him. Before the play is over, Martin and Mary are blind once again, and must decide whether they will subject themselves to healing once again, or instead embrace humility and thankfulness in their darkened world.