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

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Christy's reaction to his father?

2. What is the mood in Act II?

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

4. What does the mirror at the beginning of the scene symbolize?

5. The setting change from night in Act 1 to morning in Act II has an effect on what?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

J.M. Synge said, "On the stage one must have reality, and one must have joy." Write an essay in which you:

1) Describe The Playboy of the Western World as a play about either reality or joy.

OR

2) Identify examples of both reality and joy in the, confirming Synge's assertion.

OR

3) Challenge, Defend, or qualify Synge's assertion using examples from the text to support your argument.

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

Consider the differences between appearance and reality in the play. Write an essay in which you discuss:

1) The difference between Christy's appearance and his reality.

OR

2) The difference between any characters' statements and their behaviors.

OR

3) The significance of appearance and reality to the events of the play.

(see the answer keys)

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