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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. One of Christy favorite pastimes after working hard all day on the farm is:

2. The term "peelers" refers to:

3. The setting of Act 1 takes place:

4. A characteristic of Pegeen's personality that appears often is her:

5. The length of time covered in Act 1 is:

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Pegeen imagine Christy's life must have been like before she meets him?

2. Why won't Christy run to avoid the crowd that wants to hang him?

3. Describe how Pegeen gets Christy to tell them why he is running from the police.

4. How do Philly and Jimmy appear to feel about Christy?

5. What does the Widow learn from Old Mahon about Christy's former love life?

6. What do Michael and Shaun report has finally arrived?

7. What function do Michael Flaherty and his friends, Philly and Jimmy perform at the wake of Kate Cassidy?

8. What is Pegeen's job?

9. What items does Pegeen say she requires in the letter she writes?

10. Describe the Widow Quin's character in terms of doing people favors.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Consider the differences between appearance and reality in the play. Write an essay in which you discuss:

1) The difference between Christy's appearance and his reality.

OR

2) The difference between any characters' statements and their behaviors.

OR

3) The significance of appearance and reality to the events of the play.

Essay Topic 2

There are several plans for weddings and wakes in Synge's play. Write an essay in which you a) discuss the significance of any plan for a wedding or a wake to the events of the play; b) discuss the significance of any wedding or wake to the theme of the play; or c) discuss the significance of the contrasting motifs to the theme of the play.

Essay Topic 3

Consider the various symbols used in the play. Write an essay in which you:

1) Identify any symbol and its meaning in the play; then connect the development of the symbol to the theme of the play.

OR

2) Identify any character as symbolic of Synge's statements regarding Ireland in the preface to the play.

OR

3) Identify any belief the characters espouse as symbolic, and connect the belief to the them of the play.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 653 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample