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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. Where does Big Ed spend much of his time in the days after Eddie's death?

2. Who is the owner of Army Distributing?

3. What can Fr. Cavanaugh not allow if Eddie had committed suicide?

4. Who is Eddie's younger brother?

5. How is Stephen Cochran best characterized?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Dismas Hardy and what is the state of his life as the novel begins?

2. What is the dynamic of the Cochran family as presented after Eddie's death?

3. What does Father Cavanaugh tell Dismas about Eddie's concerns about what was going on at Army Distributing?

4. What physical evidence does Dismas glean that proves to him that Eddie did not commit suicide?

5. Who is Abe Glitsky and how does he know Dismas?

6. What does Dismas do after identifying Eddie Cochran's body?

7. What is the nature of Father Cavanaugh's relationship with Eddie Cochran's mother, Erin?

8. What is the dilemma facing the funeral director if Eddie's death is ruled a suicide?

9. How does the medical examiner rule on Eddie's death and what leeway does Abe Glitsky give Dismas regarding the case?

10. Why does Father Cavanaugh think he is responsible for Eddie's death?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of disappointment. Identify at least two characters who either embody or experience disappointment then cite an example to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Describe the role of the family in DEAD IRISH. What does it mean for each of the main characters? How does the family evolve in its support of each other? How typical is this family of most Irish families living during the late-20th century in America?

Essay Topic 3

DEAD IRISH is a modern-day mystery story. What does that classification entail? Why does this novel fit into this category? Explain.

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