Juno and the Paycock
Select ONE of the following prompts and develop a 350+ word response for it with specific examples cited
from the text (quotes or paraphrases).
Is this play a comedy? a tragedy? Justify your answer.
Discuss the historical context of the Irish Civil War as it is depicted through this play (with specific examples
from the text).
What effects have war/violence had on the characters of the play? Give examples and elaborate.
Explore the theme of poverty in the play-both the causes and effects thereof. How is tenement life
portrayed and is there any escape from it?
What Irish stereotypes are perpetuated through this play? Explain.
How does O'Casey portray women in the play? Contrasted with the men? Explore the theme of gender in the
play.
Who/what might O'Casey be criticizing through this play? Justify your answer with examples and
explanation.
What might be O'Casey's message about war/violence? Does he seem to have an agenda in this play?
What environmental factors-economic, cultural, historical forces-keep the Boyle family from their
potential? Are they products of their environment? Or agents of free will?
What does this play say about religion/faith? Explain...