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When he first arrives at Michael Flaherty’s pub disheveled and tired, Christy is the titular “playboy of the western world.” Prior to his arrival at the pub, Christy lived a life of rural drudgery, working in the potato fields under the thumb of his domineering father, Old Mahon. Fed up with Old Mahon, Christy struck him with a loy and, believing his father was dead, ran away. When he arrives at the pub, his question about the police leads the men around him to question whether Christy has committed a crime. Christy’s initial reluctance to share any details about himself shows that he didn’t plan to deceive the villagers, but once he sees how people are impressed by his story, Christy gladly takes advantage of the situation. Christy embellishes his story, making his father seem cruel and heartless while portraying himself as brave and heroic. Christy basks in the attention, delighted to have suddenly become the man he never was: fearless, brave, strong, and attractive.

Later, Old Mahon, who survived Christy’s attack, reveals that Christy’s new reputation is at odds with his personality prior to Christy’s arrival in the village. Old Mahon describes Christy as foolish, lazy, afraid to talk to women, and unable to handle alcohol or tobacco. Such a description is incongruous to the brave, strong, eloquent hero the people of the village see. Despite being called out, Christy remains defiant, stating that he will maintain the image of the heroic playboy that the village first saw. Having had a taste of what life as a “playboy” is like, Christy refuses to go back to how things were, therefore representing the ability of individuals to change their lot in life.

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