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The Playboy of the Western World by: J.M. Synge Flashcards

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5128011535CharactersChristopher (Christy) Mahon, Old Mahon, Michael James Flaherty (Michael James), Margaret Flaherty (Pegeen Mike), Widow Quin, Shawn Keogh, Philly Cullen, Jimmy Farrell, Sara Tansey, Susan Brady, Honor Blake, A bellman and some peasants0
5128024244Christopher (Christy) MahonSon of Old Mahon, "murders" Old Mahon, in love with Pegeen Mike1
5128058576Old MahonA squatter, an alcoholic, father of Christopher (Christy) Mahon, thinks Christy is a wussy2
5128059973Michael James Flaherty (Michael James)A publican, father of Pegeen Mike, Drunkard3
5128061225Margaret Flaherty (Pegeen Mike)Daughter of Michael James, marrying Shawn, in love with Christy (kinda)4
5128060356Widow QuinA woman of about thirty, kills her husband5
5128061691Shawn KeoghWidow Quin's Cousin, a young farmer, marrying Pegeen6
5128062669Philly Curren and Jimmy FarrellSmall farmers7
5128063044Sara Tansey, Susan Brady, and Honor BlakeVillage girls8
5128026702Setting of the PlayThe action takes place near a village, on a wild coast of Mayo, The first act Passes on an evening of Autumn, the other two acts on the following day.9
5128032020Themes of the PlayAuthority (Michael James is a drunkard) (Old Man Mahon is an alcoholic), Masculinity (men are all de-masculinized & female characters are displayed as stronger), Violence (they support Christy when they haven't seen it, then once they see it they can't condone)10
5128035676History of the PlayFirst performed in 1907 in Abbey Theatre (small stage); Synge worked on play for 8 years in Aran Islands an produces ten drafts11
5128063281Meaning of "Playboy"Winner; Wealthy man who leads a life of pleasure; "boy actor" (Christy begins as a boy actor and transforms into a playboy/man); Self-assured; wins matches; heroic12
5128153320Allegorical HeroChristy = Christ Mahon = Every man13
5128161751Transformation of Christy MahonAct 1: Inarticulate, shy, beaten down, BUT begins to blossom; Act 2: Blossoming continues; Describes deed for village girls more vivdly; Christy is falling in love with Pegeen (there is a change in his speech; it becomes more poetic) (she holds a special place in his mind and heart); Act 3: Reversal of roles between Old Mahon and Christy at the end; focus on Christy's heroism; second attempt to kill dad (changes the villagers attitudes towards him); He is shocked when Pegeen turns on him (however, the belief in himself is still high)14

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