Final answer:
The short story "Feet in Smoke" by John Jeremiah Sullivan contains cultural and literary references that may require some background knowledge to fully understand.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the short story "Feet in Smoke" by John Jeremiah Sullivan, there are several cultural and literary references that may be difficult to understand without some background knowledge. One example is the mention of Michael Davitt and Parnell, which requires familiarity with Irish politics. Another reference is the nursery-rhyme-like refrain "Pull out his eyes / Apologise", which may be unfamiliar to some readers. Additionally, the mysterious Betty Byrne and her "lemon platt" could be cultural references that might not be easily understood.