Comprehension Check Question
1). Describe Mary Maloney’s feelings towards her husband? How do her different actions demonstrate
the emotions and feelings that she has for her husband?
2). How is Patrick Maloney, the husband, acting when he arrives home? How is this different from his
normal behavior, and what does his strange behavior indicate/foreshadow?
3). What crime does Mary Maloney commit? Is this crime premeditated (planned) or is it a crime of
passion?
(Explain using specific details)
4). How is Mary Maloney able to create an alibi? Describe the steps she took to create an alibi that
would hold up against the prying eyes of the investigators.
5). How is Mary Maloney able to get rid of the evidence (the murder weapon)? What is ironic about the
manner in which she disposes of the weapon?
6). What is the theme? How does the author lead you to that theme? What characters help express that
theme?