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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. Pegeen's relationship with her father can be described as:

2. The author's dialogue and description of the night gives what impression?

3. When the characters use the term "himself" they are referring to:

4. Act 1 begins with Pegeen:

5. Pegeen's approximate age in the play is:

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Michael's reaction to Pegeen's change of heart?

2. What is significant about Old Mahon's description of his son?

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

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

5. What is a comfort to the Widow Quin at the end of Act 2?

6. What deal does the Widow Quin offer in exchange for her help with Shaun's problem?

7. Why is dispensation needed for Shawn to marry Pegeen?

8. What information do Philly and Jimmy reveal about Christy's presence at the games?

9. What does Philly begin to realize before he leaves to follow Old Mahon?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Consider how night and day affect characters and their actions in the play. Write an essay in which you:

1) Compare and contrast the events occurring at night to events occurring during the day, and arrive at a statement about the significance of each time period.

OR

2) Discuss the significance of night and day to the mood of each act.

OR

3) Compare any character's actions during Act 1, which takes place at night, to their actions in Acts 2 and 3, taking place the following day.

Be sure to use examples from the play to support your argument.

Essay Topic 2

Consider the motif of unknown and unseen dangers in The Playboy of The Western World. Write an essay in which you:

1) Examine the characters' various reactions to unknown and unseen dangers.

OR

2) Examine the possible effects of the motif on the events of the play.

OR

3) Consider the significance of the motif on the theme of the play.

Essay Topic 3

Consider the motifs of sanity and insanity in Synge's play. Then write an essay in which you explore a) The general sanity of the villagers; b) Synge's statement about sanity and insanity through the events of the play; or c) The insanity of any one character or situation in the play. Be sure to use examples from the text to support your arguement.

(see the answer keys)

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