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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. Pegeen attempts to discredit the Widow Quin by accusing her of:

2. Act 1 begins with Pegeen:

3. At the end of Act 1, Christy thinks to himself:

4. Pegeen's approximate age in the play is:

5. The term "peelers" refers to:

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Shawn afraid of?

2. What does Christy discover about himself during the gaming events in the village?

3. Describe the Widow Quin's character in terms of doing people favors.

4. Describe the irony in the villagers enthusiasm and acceptance of Christy Mahon.

5. How does the Widow try to dissuade Philly and Jimmy from following Old Mahon?

6. How does Christy react when he offered the job as potboy?

7. Describe how Pegeen gets Christy to tell them why he is running from the police.

8. What gives Christy "a new arrogance?"

9. Why does Pegeen say she is the fright of seven townlands?

10. Why do Jimmy, Philly, and Michael James think that Christy will make a suitable potboy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Consider the various symbols used in the play. Write an essay in which you:

1) Identify any symbol and its meaning in the play; then connect the development of the symbol to the theme of the play.

OR

2) Identify any character as symbolic of Synge's statements regarding Ireland in the preface to the play.

OR

3) Identify any belief the characters espouse as symbolic, and connect the belief to the them of the play.

Essay Topic 3

Characters voice and exhibit both rational and irrational fears throughout the play. Considering these fears, write an essay in which you:

1) Identify any common fear among the villagers and qualify it as rational or irrational.

OR

2) Identify any character as the most fearful in the play, supporting your ideas with examples from the text.

OR

3) Identify any fear as the most significant motivating factor in the play, supporting your ideas with examples from the text.

(see the answer keys)

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