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

Short Answer Questions

1. The villagers seem very religious, yet they treat Christy with:

2. What is the most significant plot change in Act II?

3. Which of the following characters could be described as the most impulsive?

4. The character who is most unbending about his or her religious beliefs is:

5. When Christy and Pegeen talk about what their life might be like together, they are:

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Fathers play a prominent role in The Playboy of the Western World. In an essay:

1) Describe Pegeen's father as either successful or unsuccessful in raising and caring for his daughter.

OR

2) Describe Old Mahon as either successful or unsuccessful in raising and caring for his son.

OR

3) Identify the role Synge has created for fathers in his play.

Use examples from the text to support your essay.

Essay Topic 3

Discussions of courage appear throughout Synge's play. Write an essay in which you:

1) Describe any single character as courageous and use examples to support your ideas

OR

2) Describe any single action as courageous and use examples to support your ideas.

OR

3) Describe the lack of courage displayed by the majority of characters throughout the play, and use examples to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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