"In this cry of pain the inner consciousness of the people seems to lay itself bare for an instant, and to reveal the mood of beings who feel their isolation in the face of a universe that wars on them with winds and seas"

This quote by John Millington Synge talks to the cumulative experience of humankind in the face of a relatively hostile universe. It speaks to the sensation of isolation and powerlessness that many people feel when confronted with the forces of nature. The "cry of discomfort" is a metaphor for the collective distress of mankind, and the "inner consciousness" is a referral to the collective unconscious, the shared experiences and feelings of all people. The quote suggests that in moments of terrific distress, individuals can feel a sense of unity and uniformity, even in the face of a universe that appears to be at war with them. It is a tip that even in the darkest of times, we are not alone.