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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. The "official" language is spoken where?

2. What is the prisoner's main concern for the Old Woman?

3. What do the guard and the prisoner have in common?

4. The first time the guard jabs the Old Woman in Act 2, it's because she said, "I have _______."

5. Why is it difficult for the Old Woman to understand the guard?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the Sergeant show Sarah her husband?

2. Will the Sergeant keep his promise that Sarah's husband will be safe if she sleeps with Dokes? Why or why not?

3. Why does Sarah Johnson look like an "intellectual?"

4. Does the Old Woman follow the new rule in Act 4?

5. Why does the Sergeant make his final comment?

6. How does the Sergeant describe the gathering at the beginning of Act 3? Why?

7. What is the significance of language in Act 4?

8. Did the Sergeant try to help the prisoner?

9. Does Sarah care about her husband?

10. Why is the prisoner a "joker?"

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Language among the characters is a key tool. The officers use curse words to intimidate the women, while the women are forbidden to speak mountain language. Discuss the dilemma that language use brings to the play and its significance.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss "men" in Mountain Language. Discuss their attitudes towards women and their authority. What is Pinter's commentary on men and masculinity?

Essay Topic 3

There are elements of the setting (both time and physical) that are very concrete or very abstract. Discuss this use of ambiguous setting to develop an explanation Pinter's goal in using this type of setting.

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