Reading Check and Short Answer Questions on key plot points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

PART 1, BOOKS 1-2

1. Which city does Catherine move to?

2. Where does Seán get a job?

3. What kind of work does Maude do?

4. What is Max’s relationship to Charles?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why is Catherine cast out of her town?

2. What character traits does Catherine show that indicate she is beyond her years?

3. What happens to Seán and Jack right before Cyril is born?

4. Why is meeting Julian so significant for Cyril?

Paired Resource

“Review: Gender and Sexuality in Ireland”

• This scholarly review outlines the lack of research on women’s changing roles in Ireland through the 20th century and attempts to fill in some holes.
• How does Catherine’s experience showcase the ways in which misogyny in 20th century Ireland affected women, and how does Catherine demonstrate strength despite this?

“Women, Citizenship and Catholicism in the Irish Free State, 1922-1948”

• This scholarly article examines the ways in which Catholicism influenced views of women, laws targeted toward women, and the opportunities (or lack thereof) that Irish women had during the early-to-mid-20th century.