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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 come to meet Christy, the one item they do not bring him is?

2. When Christy comes out of the back room, the girls:

3. Act II opens with Christy performing what activity?

4. Christy tells Pegeen that he doesn't want to leave because:

5. The majority of the characters' dialogues include:

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Consider the title, "The Playboy of the Western World." Write an essay in which you:

1) Identify the titular character and use examples to describe how the title applies to this character.

OR

2) Explain the meaning of the title and describe its significance to the theme of the play.

OR

3) Evaluate the effectiveness of the title and offer an alternate title that better fits the events of the play.

Use examples from the text to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

In Act 3, Philly and Jimmy have an extended discussion about skulls. Write an essay in which you consider a) The symbolic meaning of skulls in Act 3; b) The characterization of Philly and Jimmy through their discussion of skulls; or c) The significance of the exposition revealed in Philly and Jimmy's conversation to the theme of 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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