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small things like these Flashcards

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1
Q

Q: Who is the author of Small Things Like These?

A

“A: Claire Keegan.”

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2
Q

Q: In what year is Small Things Like These set?

A

“A: 1985.”

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3
Q

Q: Where is Small Things Like These set?

A

“A: A small Irish town.”

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4
Q

Q: Who is the main character in Small Things Like These?

A

“A: Bill Furlong.”

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5
Q

Q: What is Bill Furlong’s occupation?

A

“A: He is a coal and timber merchant.”

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6
Q

Q: What does Bill discover in the convent?

A

“A: A young girl locked in a coal shed.”

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7
Q

Q: What theme does the convent represent in the novel?

A

“A: The abuse of power and moral corruption.”

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8
Q

Q: What does Bill’s discovery symbolize?

A

“A: The hidden suffering in society.”

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9
Q

Q: Who says, ‘If you stayed quiet, you stayed out of trouble’?

A

“A: Bill Furlong.”

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10
Q

Q: How does Bill feel about the convent’s treatment of the girl?

A

“A: He is disturbed and morally conflicted.”

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11
Q

Q: What theme does Bill’s character primarily explore?

A

“A: Moral courage and compassion.”

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12
Q

Q: What does Bill’s background as an illegitimate child signify?

A

“A: It gives him empathy for the marginalized.”

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13
Q

Q: How does Bill’s wife Eileen feel about his concerns?

A

“A: She is practical and cautious

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14
Q

Q: What role does the winter setting play in the novel?

A

“A: It symbolizes coldness

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15
Q

Q: What literary device does Keegan use to reflect the atmosphere of the town?

A

“A: Imagery of bleak

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16
Q

Q: What does the title Small Things Like These refer to?

A

“A: Acts of kindness and small gestures that bring meaning.”

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17
Q

Q: Who says, ‘It’d be a fine thing if everyone minded their own business’?

A

“A: Eileen Furlong.”

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18
Q

Q: How does Keegan portray the townspeople’s attitude towards the convent?

A

“A: As complicit and indifferent.”

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19
Q

Q: What theme does the Christmas season highlight?

A

“A: Hypocrisy

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20
Q

Q: What does the Magdalen Laundries represent?

A

“A: The exploitation of vulnerable women by the Church.”

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21
Q

Q: Who in the novel represents moral integrity?

A

“A: Bill Furlong

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22
Q

Q: What does Bill’s mother symbolize?

A

“A: Resilience and sacrifice for her son’s future.”

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23
Q

Q: How does Keegan explore the theme of family?

A

“A: Through Bill’s relationship with his wife and daughters.”

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24
Q

Q: What does Bill’s act of kindness towards the girl signify?

A

“A: The power of individual action in the face of injustice.”

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25
Q: Who says, 'Sure, what could you do?'?
"A: Eileen
26
Q: What does the recurring cold and darkness symbolize?
"A: The emotional and moral coldness in society."
27
Q: How does Keegan use symbolism with coal and timber?
"A: They represent warmth
28
Q: What is the theme of courage in *Small Things Like These*?
"A: It’s shown through Bill’s decision to stand up against wrongdoing."
29
Q: How does Bill’s memory of his mother influence him?
"A: It inspires empathy and a desire to help those suffering."
30
Q: What theme is represented by Bill’s family life?
"A: Stability
31
Q: Who says, 'Some things are best left alone'?
"A: A nun at the convent
32
Q: What is the significance of the Christmas season in the novel?
"A: It contrasts with the cruelty hidden in the convent."
33
Q: How does Keegan portray the Church’s role in Irish society?
"A: As both powerful and morally questionable."
34
Q: What does Bill’s kindness to the girl ultimately cost him?
"A: It risks his reputation and business but strengthens his integrity."
35
Q: How does Bill’s upbringing affect his character?
"A: Growing up with a single mother gives him compassion for the vulnerable."
36
Q: How is the convent portrayed in *Small Things Like These*?
"A: As a place of hypocrisy and cruelty."
37
Q: What technique does Keegan use to convey Bill’s inner struggle?
"A: Stream of consciousness and introspective narration."
38
Q: What does the convent’s secrecy symbolize?
"A: The silence around abuses in society."
39
Q: Who says, 'A man who wants to do good will find plenty to trouble him'?
"A: A reflection of Bill’s moral dilemma."
40
Q: What theme does the Christmas setting underscore?
"A: The contrast between the holiday’s spirit of kindness and societal cruelty."
41
Q: What is Bill’s relationship with his children like?
"A: Loving and attentive
42
Q: What is Bill Furlong’s primary moral conflict?
"A: Whether to help the girl and risk his own security."
43
Q: How does Keegan use Bill’s memories of his mother?
"A: To show his empathy and respect for strong women."
44
Q: How does *Small Things Like These* critique society?
"A: By showing the silence and complicity surrounding injustices."
45
Q: What does Bill’s interaction with the girl at the convent signify?
"A: A pivotal moment where he confronts moral decay."
46
Q: How does Eileen’s practical advice affect Bill?
"A: It reinforces his sense of duty but conflicts with his compassion."
47
Q: What does the character of the Mother Superior represent?
"A: Authority and denial of accountability."
48
Q: Who says, 'There’s no shortage of suffering in this world'?
"A: Bill Furlong
49
Q: What does Bill’s act of kindness toward the girl show about him?
"A: His willingness to stand up for what’s right."
50
Q: How does *Small Things Like These* depict the impact of small actions?
"A: By showing how Bill’s kindness challenges societal norms."
51
Q: What is the tone of *Small Things Like These*?
"A: Reflective and somber
52
Q: How does Keegan portray women in the novel?
"A: As resilient but often oppressed by society."
53
Q: What is the role of community in *Small Things Like These*?
"A: It’s both supportive and complicit in wrongdoing."
54
Q: What does the coal delivery symbolize?
"A: Warmth and Bill’s role as a provider of both physical and moral warmth."
55
Q: Who says, 'Not everyone is cut out to be a saint'?
"A: A neighbor
56
Q: How does Keegan use imagery of coldness?
"A: To reflect the emotional detachment in the community."
57
Q: What technique does Keegan use to highlight the cruelty of the convent?
"A: Descriptive and stark language."
58
Q: What is Bill’s ultimate decision at the end of the novel?
"A: He chooses to help the girl
59
Q: How does the setting of 1985 affect the story?
"A: It highlights societal norms and the influence of the Church."
60
Q: What role does religion play in the novel?
"A: It’s shown as both oppressive and hypocritical."
61
Q: What does Bill’s refusal to ignore the girl’s plight show?
"A: His empathy and unwillingness to conform to silence."
62
Q: How does *Small Things Like These* address complicity?
"A: By illustrating how society often ignores suffering."
63
Q: What does Bill’s relationship with his daughters signify?
"A: His dedication to family and compassion."
64
Q: How is kindness portrayed in the novel?
"A: As a powerful but rare quality in a harsh society."
65
Q: What does the convent’s secrecy reveal about society?
"A: Its tendency to hide uncomfortable truths."
66
Q: How does Keegan use the theme of isolation?
"A: To reflect the emotional and social separation in the town."
67
Q: What is Bill’s primary internal struggle?
"A: Choosing between personal safety and helping the oppressed."
68
Q: What role does poverty play in *Small Things Like These*?
"A: It affects characters’ choices and vulnerability."
69
Q: How does Keegan critique the Church’s power?
"A: By depicting its abuse of authority over vulnerable women."
70
Q: Who is the girl Bill finds in the coal shed?
"A: An unnamed young girl trapped by the convent."
71
Q: What theme is reflected in Bill’s compassion for the girl?
"A: Humanity and empathy in the face of indifference."
72
Q: How does Bill’s experience with the convent change him?
"A: It strengthens his resolve to act against injustice."
73
Q: What does the bleak landscape symbolize?
"A: The harsh reality and moral coldness of society."
74
Q: What technique does Keegan use to portray the community’s silence?
"A: Subdued dialogue and limited direct confrontation."
75
Q: How does Bill’s background influence his view on suffering?
"A: He understands hardship from his own upbringing."
76
Q: What does the coal shed symbolize in the novel?
"A: The confinement and oppression faced by the girl."
77
Q: How does Eileen’s character contrast with Bill’s?
"A: She embodies practicality
78
Q: What is the significance of Bill’s mother’s influence?
"A: It shapes his empathy and understanding of suffering."
79
Q: How does Keegan illustrate the theme of moral responsibility?
"A: Through Bill’s actions and decisions regarding the girl."
80
Q: What does Bill’s refusal to conform signify?
"A: A challenge to societal norms and expectations."
81
Q: How does the ending of *Small Things Like These* resonate?
"A: It emphasizes the importance of small acts of kindness."
82
Q: How does Keegan use foreshadowing in the novel?
"A: To hint at the moral dilemmas Bill will face."
83
Q: What does the character of the girl represent?
"A: The innocence and vulnerability exploited by society."
84
Q: What is the primary conflict in the novel?
"A: Bill’s internal struggle between complicity and moral action."
85
Q: What is the overall message of *Small Things Like These*?
"A: The importance of individual actions in combating societal wrongs."
86
Q: How does Keegan depict the emotional landscape of the characters?
"A: Through rich imagery and introspective narration."
87
Q: What does Bill’s business represent in the town?
"A: Stability and a connection to the community."
88
Q: How is the theme of kindness explored?
"A: Through Bill’s interactions and his decision to help the girl."
89
Q: What is the significance of the title *Small Things Like These*?
"A: It highlights the value of small acts of kindness in making a difference."

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