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Quiz about Classic Novels of the 19th Century
Quiz about Classic Novels of the 19th Century

Classic Novels of the 19th Century Quiz


They are still required reading in most schools-the great Romantic novels of the 1800s. If you haven't read the book, you may have seen the film it inspired. How well do you know your classics?

A multiple-choice quiz by robbieh. Estimated time: 6 mins.
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Author
robbieh
Time
6 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
323,441
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
2038
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 216 (9/10), Guest 216 (9/10), Guest 142 (9/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. Sensible Elinor Dashwood and her wildly romantic sister Marianne are the heroines of Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility." The novel tells of their struggles with financial difficulties and affairs of the heart, and takes a humorous look at England's upper crust society as well. Jane Austen published the book, her first, under a pseudonym - what was it? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. The Russian writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky wrote one of his greatest novels after spending several years imprisoned in Siberia. The book's protagonist is Raskolnikov, a destitute young man who plans and carries out the murder of a greedy old pawnbroker. Raskolnikov believes he can carry out such a crime without feelings of guilt; instead he is tortured by it. Which of Dostoyevsky's works is it? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. The Bronte sisters are among the most famous of the Romantic era authors. Their first joint effort at publishing was a volume of poetry, which was not a success. Undaunted, each sister then went on to publish novels considered daring for their time, they are now well-loved classics. The sisters were known by their pen names: Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell. Which of the Brontes was the author of "Agnes Grey"? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. "The Portrait of a Lady" was first published in serial form in the Atlantic Monthly in 1880. In the book, American heiress Isabel Archer is forced to choose between her treasured independence and her social duty to marry. She travels to Europe and falls victim to two schemers who wish to rob her of her independence and her fortune. Isabel's choices, and the contrast between American and European society, make the novel a fascinating read to this day. Who wrote it? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. The Russian novel "Eugene Onegin" was another first published in serial form. The story: wealthy rake Eugene Onegin becomes involved in a flirtation which leads to a duel with his best friend. Studious young Tatyana loves Onegin, but he spurns her, which he comes to regret. The novel is written in verse, and is revered by Russian readers and authors alike. Who is the author? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. French author Honoré de Balzac is the author of this novel, set in mid-19th century Paris. It's the tale of an unattractive, resentful woman and her seductive friend, who set out to ruin an entire family. The womanizing Baron Hector Hulot and his family are their victims, reduced to poverty by the schemes of the two women. The novel is a masterpiece of French literature-what is the book's title? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. A lovely and independent young woman named Bathsheba Everdene inherits a substantial estate upon the death of her uncle. She is determined to manage the estate on her own. Bathsheba has several suitors, but impulsively decides to marry dashing Sergeant Frank Troy. There is another woman, and tragedy ensues. Thomas Hardy is the author of this fine novel. Which is it? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Carpenter's son Julien Sorel wants nothing more than to become a member of upper-class society. He studies for the priesthood, dreaming all the while of becoming rich and powerful. He becomes involved in various complicated love affairs as well as revolutionary political intrigue. The novel is "The Red and the Black", who is the author? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Emma Rouault is a beautiful, fanciful young woman who yearns for passion and excitement. She marries a country doctor, the well-intentioned but clumsy Charles. Emma soon becomes bored and embarks on a series of love affairs which end badly for her. In the end, desperate and deeply in debt, she swallows poison and dies. Of which novel is Emma the heroine? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Natty Bumppo appears in five books collectively known as "The Leatherstocking Tales." Born of white parents, raised by Native Americans, Natty is a frontiersman and scout also known as "Hawkeye." Among the books in the series are "The Last of the Mohicans" and "The Deerslayer." Which American author wrote them? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Sensible Elinor Dashwood and her wildly romantic sister Marianne are the heroines of Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility." The novel tells of their struggles with financial difficulties and affairs of the heart, and takes a humorous look at England's upper crust society as well. Jane Austen published the book, her first, under a pseudonym - what was it?

Answer: A Lady

At the time the book was published in 1811, it was considered inappropriate for proper ladies to write novels. The plot of "Sense and Sensibility" is said to have been based on Jane Austen's life, including her romance with a young man of a different social class. She never married.

There have been several versions of Austen's story made for film and television, notably the lovely 1995 version starring Emma Thompson (who also adapted the screenplay) and Kate Winslet.
2. The Russian writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky wrote one of his greatest novels after spending several years imprisoned in Siberia. The book's protagonist is Raskolnikov, a destitute young man who plans and carries out the murder of a greedy old pawnbroker. Raskolnikov believes he can carry out such a crime without feelings of guilt; instead he is tortured by it. Which of Dostoyevsky's works is it?

Answer: Crime and Punishment

"Crime and Punishment" was published in 1866 in the literary journal "The Russian Messenger." As with many novels of the time, it was published in installments, and later in a single volume.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky was sent to Siberia in 1849, on political grounds. At one point he was sentenced to death and brought before a firing squad; his sentence was ultimately commuted to four years hard labor. He wrote his greatest novels after his release from prison, among them "The Brothers Karamazov"(1881) and "The Idiot"(1869).
3. The Bronte sisters are among the most famous of the Romantic era authors. Their first joint effort at publishing was a volume of poetry, which was not a success. Undaunted, each sister then went on to publish novels considered daring for their time, they are now well-loved classics. The sisters were known by their pen names: Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell. Which of the Brontes was the author of "Agnes Grey"?

Answer: Anne

Anne Brontë was the youngest Bronte sister. "Agnes Grey" (1847) was based on her experiences as a governess. Her only other novel, "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall", was published in 1848. The Bronte sisters lived tragically short lives, with Charlotte dying at age 38, Emily at 30, Anne at 29. Charlotte was the author of "Jane Eyre"(1847) and several others, while Emily wrote "Wuthering Heights", also published in 1847.
4. "The Portrait of a Lady" was first published in serial form in the Atlantic Monthly in 1880. In the book, American heiress Isabel Archer is forced to choose between her treasured independence and her social duty to marry. She travels to Europe and falls victim to two schemers who wish to rob her of her independence and her fortune. Isabel's choices, and the contrast between American and European society, make the novel a fascinating read to this day. Who wrote it?

Answer: Henry James

Although Henry James was born in New York City, he spent the last four decades of his life in England. A prolific writer, he wrote books on travel, biographies and literary criticism, in addition to many novels and short stories. His works include "Washington Square"(1880), "The Bostonians"(1886) and "The Europeans"(1878).

"The Portrait of a Lady" was published as a book in 1881. It is one of Henry James' most popular and critical successes.
5. The Russian novel "Eugene Onegin" was another first published in serial form. The story: wealthy rake Eugene Onegin becomes involved in a flirtation which leads to a duel with his best friend. Studious young Tatyana loves Onegin, but he spurns her, which he comes to regret. The novel is written in verse, and is revered by Russian readers and authors alike. Who is the author?

Answer: Aleksandr Pushkin

Aleksandr Sergeyevich Pushkin (1799-1837) was a Russian author considered by many to be the founder of modern Russian literature and their greatest poet. The unique novel "Eugene Onegin" is almost entirely made up of 389 stanzas of iambic tetrameter. It was published serially between 1825 and 1832, to great success. The novel was adapted into an 1878 opera with music by Tchaikovsky.

Pushkin was the great-grandson of Abram Petrovich Gannibal, who was brought to Russia from Africa as a youngster and given to Tsar Peter the Great. Gannibal would rise to great heights in the Russian military.

Aleksandr Pushkin died at age 37, as a result of wounds suffered in a duel with his wife's alleged lover.
6. French author Honoré de Balzac is the author of this novel, set in mid-19th century Paris. It's the tale of an unattractive, resentful woman and her seductive friend, who set out to ruin an entire family. The womanizing Baron Hector Hulot and his family are their victims, reduced to poverty by the schemes of the two women. The novel is a masterpiece of French literature-what is the book's title?

Answer: Cousin Bette (La Cousine Bette)

The novel was first published in serial form in 1846, and was written in just two months, amazingly. It was later published together with "Le Cousin Pons" in 1847. Balzac's work influenced many French writers, and "La Cousine Bette" has been compared to works of Shakespeare and Tolstoy. His novels have inspired many stage and film productions and are still widely read today.
7. A lovely and independent young woman named Bathsheba Everdene inherits a substantial estate upon the death of her uncle. She is determined to manage the estate on her own. Bathsheba has several suitors, but impulsively decides to marry dashing Sergeant Frank Troy. There is another woman, and tragedy ensues. Thomas Hardy is the author of this fine novel. Which is it?

Answer: Far From the Madding Crowd

"Far from the Madding Crowd" (1874) was the prolific author Thomas Hardy's first major success. It was originally published in serial form, in the popular Victorian literary journal "Cornhill Magazine." The novel's title is taken from a 1751 Thomas Gray poem "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard"

"Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife
Their sober wishes never learn'd to stray;
Along the cool sequester'd vale of life
They kept the noiseless tenor of their way."

Thomas Hardy's many novels included "The Mayor of Casterbridge"(1886), "Tess of the d'Urbervilles"(1891) and "Jude the Obscure" (1895). "Far From the Madding Crowd" was made into a fine film in 1967, starring Julie Christie as Bathsheba and Terence Stamp as Frank Troy.
8. Carpenter's son Julien Sorel wants nothing more than to become a member of upper-class society. He studies for the priesthood, dreaming all the while of becoming rich and powerful. He becomes involved in various complicated love affairs as well as revolutionary political intrigue. The novel is "The Red and the Black", who is the author?

Answer: Stendhal

Marie-Henri Beyle, better known by the pen name Stendhal, was one of the most influential authors of the nineteenth century. His novel was a psychological portrait of the protagonist, which told the shaping of a character's personality, which was a realistic new manner of writing for the time.

The colors "red" and "black" in the book's title refer to the black robes worn by priests and the red military uniforms worn by the French army. Stendhal's other well-known novel was "The Charterhouse of Parma" (1839).
9. Emma Rouault is a beautiful, fanciful young woman who yearns for passion and excitement. She marries a country doctor, the well-intentioned but clumsy Charles. Emma soon becomes bored and embarks on a series of love affairs which end badly for her. In the end, desperate and deeply in debt, she swallows poison and dies. Of which novel is Emma the heroine?

Answer: Madame Bovary

"Madame Bovary" was first serialized in "La Revue de Paris" in 1856.
The novel's depiction of Emma Bovary's sexual affairs created a scandal, and the author and his publisher were prosecuted for violation of public morals. The trial resulted in an acquittal, and "Madame Bovary" was published in book form in 1857 and became an immediate bestseller.

Flaubert's novel is now considered one of the most influential novels ever written, and the author a pioneer of realism in literature.
10. Natty Bumppo appears in five books collectively known as "The Leatherstocking Tales." Born of white parents, raised by Native Americans, Natty is a frontiersman and scout also known as "Hawkeye." Among the books in the series are "The Last of the Mohicans" and "The Deerslayer." Which American author wrote them?

Answer: James Fenimore Cooper

James Fenimore Cooper was a popular American writer, best remembered as a prolific writer of historical novels. Among his most famous works is the 1826 classic "The Last of the Mohicans", which became one of the nineteenth century's most widely read American novels.

In 1823, he published "The Pioneers", the first of the "Leatherstocking Tales" featuring Natty Bumppo as the hero.
Source: Author robbieh

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