# Nora Burke — Short Plays character guide

> Nora Burke in Short Plays by J. M. Synge.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Nora, Nora Angrily, Nora Uah

**First appearance:** 0000-in-the-shadow-of-the-glen

## Snapshot

A young wife in a lonely glen cottage, restless under an old husband's coldness, who slips out into the rain with a stranger's secret.

## Who they are

Nora keeps a wake-house at the head of a long glen, tending a shrouded body and a stocking of money while the wind cries outside. Married to a man she calls queer and cold, she has grown used to being lonesome and now measures her life against the young herd Micheal Dara, who whistles for her at night. Her quiet errand in the dark — fetching a man to carry news of a death — sets the play's whole machinery of deception and desire in motion.

## Relationships

### [Tramp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_plays_2_se/characters/tramp)

_romantic_

Nora is drawn to the Tramp's freedom and charm, sharing a flirtatious and escapist bond with him.

### [Cathleen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_plays_2_se/characters/cathleen)

_friendship_

Cathleen and Nora are close companions, sharing confidences and supporting each other through hardships.

### [Micheal Dara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_plays_2_se/characters/micheal_dara)

_romantic_

Micheal Dara is a quiet suitor to Nora, offering stability but lacking the passion she craves.

### [Bartley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_plays_2_se/characters/bartley)

_social_

Bartley and Nora are acquaintances in the same rural community, with little direct emotional depth.

### [Priest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_plays_2_se/characters/priest)

_professional_

Nora seeks the Priest's guidance but often feels judged by him, creating a formal distance.

### [Maurya](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_plays_2_se/characters/maurya)

_family_

Maurya is Nora's mother-in-law, and their relationship is marked by grief, resentment, and silent tension.

### [Dan Burke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_plays_2_se/characters/dan_burke)

_family_

Dan Burke is Nora's husband, and their marriage is cold and unhappy, with Dan often absent or dismissive.

### [Michael Byrne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_plays_2_se/characters/michael_byrne)

_social_

Michael and Nora are neighbors who share occasional conversations but no deep bond.

### [Priest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_plays_2_se/characters/priest)

_professional_

Nora seeks the Priest's guidance but often feels judged by him, creating a formal distance.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_plays_2_se/characters/nora_burke
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_plays_2_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_plays_2_se/characters