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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. What does Mrs. Kehoe like to say about feeding the men?

2. What dream does Eileen tell Furlong she has had recently?

3. Where was Eileen working when Furlong met her?

4. What did Furlong "come from"?

5. What does a girl in Chapter 4 ask Furlong to do for her?

Short Essay Questions

1. What kind of weather is Ireland known for?

2. What does Furlong get for Christmas one year as a child that disappoints him?

3. What is one reason Furlong never finds out for sure who his father is?

4. As a boy, what did Furlong once really want badly for Christmas?

5. What kind of reputation does the laundry at the convent have?

6. What is Furlong's business like?

7. Why was Furlong sometimes treated badly as a child?

8. Where did Furlong grow up?

9. Why is Furlong worried about Loretta?

10. What does Furlong ask Eileen for as a Christmas gift?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Furlong's short experience working in a mushroom factory shape his notions of labor, work, and wages? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay explaining Keegan's tone and use of language throughout this novella.

Essay Topic 3

Why do you think Keegan chooses to end the novel with Furlong taking Sarah home with him, but without exploring any of his family's or the town's reactions? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

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