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

Short Answer Questions

1. When the village girls arrive, they interrupt Christy as he is:

2. Christy tells the Widow Quin:

3. Who is "The Playboy of the Western World?"

4. Which of the following would not be offered in trade for a favor by the characters in the play?

5. The motivation for sending the girls to meet Christy is:

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 347 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample