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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 approximate age in the play is:

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

3. The setting of Act 1 takes place:

4. The most significant conflict at the end of Act 1 is:

5. The responsibility of barkeep in Michael James' establishment falls to:

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is Christy's reaction when his father enters the pub?

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

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

5. What does the Christy promise to do if the Widow helps him?

6. Why does the Widow Quin feel she would be a better fit for Christy than Pegeen?

7. Why does Old Mahon's story arouse suspicion for Philly?

8. Describe the mood in Act 1.

9. Explain the role that religion plays in the story?

10. How does Old Mahon finally see Christy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examples of characters winning and losing occur in different ways in Synge's play. Consider the motifs of winning and losing, and write an essay:

1) Qualifying any character as either "winner" or "loser" through the events of the play.

OR

2) Exploring the significance of the village games as determinants for winners and losers.

OR

3) Discuss three ways characters might "win" or "lose" over the course of the play.

Essay Topic 2

Consider the significance of storytelling to the events and theme of Synge's play. Write an essay in which you discuss the significance of a) Christy's story about his father; b) Shawn's story about his journey to Pegeen's place in Act 1; or c) Old Mahon's story about his son.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 689 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample