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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. With whom is O'Keefe trying to get a job?

2. Why is Tony Malarkey living behind a bolted door in his apartment?

3. What does Mary offer to give to Dangerfield?

4. What is included with the letter from the person in #113?

5. What does a chambermaid's suggestion prompt Dangerfield to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Dangerfield relent and go to the party Clocklan invited him to attend?

2. What is the relationship between Dangerfield and Miss Frost at this point?

3. In what way is O'Keefe similar to Dangerfield?

4. What is the role of women in Ireland as evidenced by the lives of Lilly and Mary?

5. What news is assumed to be true about Clocklan?

6. Who is the last person in his Dublin experience that Dangerfield visits before leaving for London?

7. What objective has O'Keefe still not attained in his life?

8. Why does Dangerfield believe that his father's death is the end to all of Dangerfield's problems?

9. Why does Mary's bath symbolize her new life?

10. What is Dangerfield's new plan to move to London and does he ask Miss Frost to go with him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Project into the future ten years after the end of the novel and write a brief synopsis for Dangerfield's life. Will Mary still be such a powerful presence in his life? How about O'Keefe and Clocklan? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

What is the overall setting setting for the novel? Be sure to include geography, time period and any pertinent popular culture events. Why did Donleavy choose to use these places in the book?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the role of women in Ireland in the mid-20th century. What precedents were they forced to follow? What role does poverty play in their lives? How does religion rule over their choices?

(see the answer keys)

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