Amongst Women

Research Ireland’s War of Independence, the Irish Civil War, and the Troubles following these conflicts. How does John McGahern integrate the impacts of these events into the text?

How does Amongst Women compare with McGahern’s other novels? What themes do they have in common, and how are they different from each other? Does McGahern’s oeuvre paint a specific picture of mid-century Irish life?

How does Rose change Moran and his family? How does this affect the text’s discussion of family? Does she benefit equally from the arrangement?

Sheila, Maggie, and Mona are all encouraged to leave home and pursue employment in larger cities. How does this show an evolution in rural agrarian culture? How do the daughters’ departures from Moran’s home impact the family?

Moran is a complex character. Identify at least three of his varied characterizations and analyze how these characterizations make Moran both a hero and an antagonist in the novel.

Michael’s coming-of-age is a difficult experience because of Moran’s desire to control him. How do the two characters present conflicting depictions of masculinity? What traits do they value as masculine, and how do they view themselves as men in the world?

Research the history of gender equality in Ireland. Through this lens, analyze Sheila, Mona, and Maggie’s career and city choices. Why might they have chosen these specific paths?

Analyze how Moran’s house and farm are symbolic of larger messages. Is the family farm’s specific location in County Leitrim significant? What larger messages does the setting represent?