Topics for Further Study
Last Updated September 20, 2024.
- Friel's play is set in Ireland in 1936. Delve into the history of Ireland during the twentieth century. What were the significant historical events of this period? How does this historical context relate to the themes presented in the play?
- In the play, Michael's Uncle Jack has recently returned from twenty-five years as a missionary priest in Uganda. Research the history of European missionary activities in Africa during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. What conditions did Christian missionaries encounter in Africa? How did missionaries influence the history of colonial Africa?
- The pivotal event that triggers changes in the characters' lives in Friel's play is the arrival of a wireless radio, which plays various musical features throughout the story. Investigate the history of radio and its impact on cultural history. When did radios become popular in private homes? What content did early radio broadcasts feature? How has the role of radio evolved in mass culture over time?
- Friel is regarded as the most significant Irish playwright of his era. Explore the history of Irish drama and theater. Who are some of the prominent Irish playwrights of the twentieth century? How central are social and political issues to the literary traditions of Irish theater?
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