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Quiz about Another Look at Literary Titles
Quiz about Another Look at Literary Titles

Another Look at Literary Titles Quiz


Another one of my quizzes that looks at the inspirations for literary titles.

A multiple-choice quiz by robert362. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
robert362
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
87,208
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
1167
Last 3 plays: mickeyp (6/10), Guest 120 (7/10), cinnam0n (5/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. "De Profundis" is the title that has been given to a long reminiscence (written in prison) by Oscar Wilde. What does the term mean? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. One of Poe's best poems is "Israfel". From what source does Poe take his inspiration for the poem? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Eugene O'Neill's masterpiece, "Long Day's Journey Into Night", is largely autobiographical. The name selected for the O'Neill family in the play is not entirely arbitrary. What is the family name in the play? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. George Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion" was the inspiration for "My Fair Lady". Shaw took the title from a myth about Pygmalion and what other character? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Brendan Behan is the author of the play, "Borstal Boy". To what does "borstal" refer? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Shakespeare authored many poems. The title character of what play bears a striking resemblance to the name of one of Shakespeare's children. Which play? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Longfellow wrote the poem, "Evangeline and the Acadians". Evangeline was a fictional character, but the expulsion of the Acadians from Canada was real enough. Why were they expelled? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Arthur Miller wrote "The Crucible". What does the word mean? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. In "The Hollow Men", T.S. Eliot makes two references at the beginning of the poem. One is a reference to "Mistah Kurtz". Kurtz is a character in a story by what author? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. The other reference that Eliot makes in "The Hollow Men" is "a penny for the Old Guy". To what is he referring? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 24 2024 : mickeyp: 6/10
Mar 23 2024 : Guest 120: 7/10
Mar 22 2024 : cinnam0n: 5/10
Mar 22 2024 : Guest 84: 5/10
Mar 13 2024 : Guest 86: 10/10
Mar 13 2024 : Guest 147: 8/10
Mar 08 2024 : Guest 89: 5/10
Feb 20 2024 : mulligas: 6/10
Feb 15 2024 : Guest 77: 6/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. "De Profundis" is the title that has been given to a long reminiscence (written in prison) by Oscar Wilde. What does the term mean?

Answer: From the Depths

In this case, from the depths of sorrow. It was not a title that was selected by Wilde, but one that was later given to the work.
2. One of Poe's best poems is "Israfel". From what source does Poe take his inspiration for the poem?

Answer: The Koran

The reference is to the angel whose "heart strings are a lute" and makes the "sweetest music of all God's creatures".
3. Eugene O'Neill's masterpiece, "Long Day's Journey Into Night", is largely autobiographical. The name selected for the O'Neill family in the play is not entirely arbitrary. What is the family name in the play?

Answer: Tyrone

Other Irish O'Neills of prominence included some from several centuries earlier. One of these was also known as the Earl of Tyrone(Tyrone being a part of Ireland). One of these O'Neills was named Sean, but was apparently also known as "Shane the Proud" - Eugene named one of his sons Shane. (I'm not certain of the lineage connection between those O'Neills and the great Eugene).
4. George Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion" was the inspiration for "My Fair Lady". Shaw took the title from a myth about Pygmalion and what other character?

Answer: Galatea

An inanimate object is transformed and comes to life - much as the
woman of the play/musical is changed into something more "elegant".
5. Brendan Behan is the author of the play, "Borstal Boy". To what does "borstal" refer?

Answer: A reform school

It was a prison environment for teenage "troublemakers". Behan spent some time in a borstal, providing the fuel for the play that he would later write. He had other run-ins with the law, lived hard, drank hard and died young.
6. Shakespeare authored many poems. The title character of what play bears a striking resemblance to the name of one of Shakespeare's children. Which play?

Answer: Hamlet

Shakespeare had a son named Hamnet. It's easy to say that the boy's death at age 11 (drowning, I believe) may have been the key factor in the selection of "Hamlet" as the name of the main character in this play that is filled with death. (Incidentally, Ophelia drowns in the play.) But, it has been said that there was an earlier play ("Ur-Hamlet") that provided the inspiration for Shakespeare's work. So, who knows?
7. Longfellow wrote the poem, "Evangeline and the Acadians". Evangeline was a fictional character, but the expulsion of the Acadians from Canada was real enough. Why were they expelled?

Answer: They refused to swear allegiance to the British

The British were concerned that the Acadians might side with the French if the troubles between the British and French escalated. So, when the Acadians refused to swear allegiance ...
8. Arthur Miller wrote "The Crucible". What does the word mean?

Answer: Ordeal

"Ordeal" is the best of the choices provided.
9. In "The Hollow Men", T.S. Eliot makes two references at the beginning of the poem. One is a reference to "Mistah Kurtz". Kurtz is a character in a story by what author?

Answer: Joseph Conrad

"Mistah Kurtz - he dead." Kurtz is the key character in "Heart of Darkness". ("The horror! The horror!)
10. The other reference that Eliot makes in "The Hollow Men" is "a penny for the Old Guy". To what is he referring?

Answer: Guy Fawkes Day

On that day, pennies are given with which to buy fireworks in order to celebrate the burning in effigy of the traitor, Fawkes.
Source: Author robert362

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bullymom before going online.
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