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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. What do both Shawn and Michael James claim to hear from a ditch on the side of the road that evening?

2. Christy describes himself to Pegeen and the men as:

3. The ethnic background of the characters in the play is:

4. The argument between the Widow Quin and Pegeen involves:

5. A common greeting amongst the characters is:

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Christy react when he offered the job as potboy?

2. What is the nature of Christy and Pegeen's conversation after the crowd disperses in Act 3?

3. Why does the Widow Quin try to convince the others that Old Mahon is crazy?

4. What gives Christy "a new arrogance?"

5. What finally saves Christy from being hanged?

6. What of man if Christy's father, according to Christy?

7. Describe the irony in the villagers enthusiasm and acceptance of Christy Mahon.

8. What does Christy discover about himself during the gaming events in the village?

9. Describe Shawn's reaction to Christy being offered the job as potboy.

10. What do we learn about Christy's character from Old Mahon?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Fathers play a prominent role in The Playboy of the Western World. In an essay:

1) Describe Pegeen's father as either successful or unsuccessful in raising and caring for his daughter.

OR

2) Describe Old Mahon as either successful or unsuccessful in raising and caring for his son.

OR

3) Identify the role Synge has created for fathers in his play.

Use examples from the text to support your essay.

Essay Topic 2

The villagers in Synge's play mention religion often. Write an essay in which you:

1) Identify any ironies between the villagers proclaimed religious beliefs and their behaviors.

OR

2) Identify 3 examples in the play where religion influences the actions or dialogue of a character, and describe their significance to the events of the play.

OR

3) Identify Synge's attitude toward religion using 3 examples of religion's influence over characters and events in the play.

Essay Topic 3

Synge's use of humor extends to every character in the play. Write an essay considering:

1) The effect of Synge's humor on the more serious events of the play.

OR

2) Any humorous event or line of dialogue that directly affects the outcome of events in the play.

OR

3) The influence of humor on the development of theme in the play.

(see the answer keys)

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