Plot
Where does the story take place?
Ireland
What does Maria do for a living?
She works at the Dublin by Lamplight and serves dinner to women
“Everybody said: __, _____ ______!"
O, here’s Maria
What is the significance of the story taking place on Halloween?
Halloween is associated with ghosts, fear, uncertainty, and it may have an uncomfortable nature, which speaks to Maria’s persona. This supports the tone of the story because when Maria chooses the clay it signifies death and has an evil connotation to it.
Who did Maria watch over as kids?
Joe and Alphy
What does Maria contribute to supper?
Cakes
Who is not talking to each other in the story?
Alphy and Joe Donnelly
“Maria superintended the distribution of the barmbrack and saw that every woman got ___ ____ ______."
her four slices
What is the significance of the color brown?
The color brown represents decay and eventual death, which is a major theme in this story.
Examples: Maria's raincoat, the old man's hat on the tram, the clay
What is one reason James Joyce uses Maria to represent Ireland?
Poor, abandoned, and ignorant
What does Maria buy at the bakery/cakeshop?
Mixed penny cakes and plum cake
How does Maria feel about who she’s become?
She looks upon herself with “quaint affection”. She recognizes her tidy little body despite how old she is, which exemplifies this affection.
“Mamma is mamma but Maria is __ ______ ______."
my proper mother
What is the significance of the blindfold Maria has to wear during the game?
This may be symbolism for Maria’s inability to see where her life is going and Joyce may be suggesting a continued paralysis for Maria through the objects in front of her.
What does Maria sing at the end of the story?
I Dreamt that I Dwelt
What is one of Maria’s greatest talents?
Peace making or singing
How do people tend to describe Maria’s personality?
a peace-maker
“But Joe cried that God might _____ ___ _____ ____ __ ____ __ _____ _ ____ _ ___ ______ _____."
strike him stone dead if ever he spoke a word to his brother again
What does James Joyce suggest about Maria’s future since she picked up the prayer book in the game?
Joyce may be suggesting that life in a convent (or in any religious order) may be an escape from the realities of the world.
What is the irony of Maria’s description as a “peace-maker”?
The irony is that her two nephews no longer speak to one another, and it’s impossible for Maria to make peace between them.
Whose encounter does Maria appreciate?
The colonel on the tram
How does the old man on the tram make Maria feel?
confused, shameful, annoyed, and disappointed
DAILY DOUBLE:
“Maria laughed again till ___ ___ __ ___ ____ _____ ___ ___ ___ __ ___ ____."
Why is this repeated throughout the chapter? What do you think this means?
the tip of her nose nearly met the tip of her chin
(Interpretations may vary) Physically, she may be embarrassed and shy because she has such a crooked, bowed face. But internally, she may feel no one can connect with her struggle. As she forgot her plumcake, she feels she cannot express a happy tone, so she hides her laughter to express her quiet stature.
What is the significance of the repeated line of the song Maria sings at the end of the story?
The song is about a woman going from rags to riches, and because she is singing it, it must be a parallel with her own life. Because she doesn’t catch her mistake of repeating the same line (and no one tells her so), her action foreshadows that Maria is to continue living her life as she has, doing the same things, and living the same way (that she is paralyzed).
What are the four things that Maria could have chosen from in the blindfolded game and what does each symbolize about her future?
Clay- impending death
Water- life, positive change (rebirth)
Ring- commitment to something/someone
Prayer Book- enter a convent