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Quiz about Midwest Literature
Quiz about Midwest Literature

Midwest Literature Trivia Quiz


This quiz contains questions on authors and literary works connected to the American Midwest. How much do you know about these classics? Questions provided by MidWest Team members.

A multiple-choice quiz by Team Midwest USA Players. Estimated time: 6 mins.
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Author
JMElston
Time
6 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
330,191
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
346
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. Edgar Rice Burroughs was born in Chicago and he lived in Illinois for many years. He wrote about places very far from the Midwest. Which of the following places did he not write about? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Susan Allen Toth wrote about growing up in Ames, Iowa, in her first memoir, "Blooming: A Small-Town Girlhood". In the sequel, she describes her adjustment to life on the east coast, where she attends Smith College. What is the name of this second memoir? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. This author was born in Wisconsin and died in Missouri. She wrote seven novels about her life with her pioneering family. Her first book, the one about living in Wisconsin, is "Little House in the Big Woods". Who is this author? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. This author is a native St. Louisan and a graduate of the University of Iowa's Writer's Workshop. He wrote a novel that has been made into a movie starring Susan Sarandon and James Spader. The movie was shot in St. Louis. What is this wonderful book? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. The poem "Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight" describes a Lincoln so disturbed by the troubles of the world that it stirs him from his eternal slumber. He walks the streets contemplating the amount of bloodshed in this world and wonders if peace will ever be achieved. Which Midwestern poet wrote this poem? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. This Missouri author achieved fame in the late 19th century with a series of short stories and poems. Most notable among his works were the "Columbian Historical Novels". Who was this Show-Me writer? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, he followed the path of his uncle who went into politics and became Governor of California. Serving one term in the Indiana House of Representatives, he could have rested on those laurels. Instead, he took his more prominent career of writing, authoring books about his time at Princeton University, and winning two Pulitzer Prizes, one for his book "The Magnificent Ambersons", which was a fictional work about a family living in upper-class Indianapolis. Who is this author? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Folk literature about the character of Paul Bunyan has been passed around for nearly two centuries. But the first evidence of anyone putting it into print came from a local newspaper. What was the newspaper who took advantage of the folk popularity of Paul Bunyan? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Mark Twain was born in Florida, Missouri, and moved to Hannibal when he was four. He was an incredibly prolific writer, and his classics "Tom Sawyer" and "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" have become icons in American Literature. But from these lesser known stories, can you guess which one Mark Twain didn't write? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Earl Derr Biggers was born in Ohio, so he has Midwestern roots. Among his many works was a series of mystery novels featuring the Oriental detective, Charlie Chan. Which was the first book in the series? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Feb 27 2024 : krajack99: 9/10
Feb 03 2024 : 1995Tarpon: 10/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Edgar Rice Burroughs was born in Chicago and he lived in Illinois for many years. He wrote about places very far from the Midwest. Which of the following places did he not write about?

Answer: Florin

Florin is a fictional country created by another Midwest author, William Goldman, in "The Princess Bride".

Edgar Rice Burroughs created the classic character Tarzan, whose adventures took place mostly in Africa. Burroughs also wrote a series of books about John Carter and his escapades on Mars. Pellucidar was a world within the Earth that Burroughs created. It was a land that time forgot. (JMElston)
2. Susan Allen Toth wrote about growing up in Ames, Iowa, in her first memoir, "Blooming: A Small-Town Girlhood". In the sequel, she describes her adjustment to life on the east coast, where she attends Smith College. What is the name of this second memoir?

Answer: Ivy Days: Making My Way Out East

In "Ivy Days", Toth describes shopping in Iowa for clothes she expects people to wear on the east coast - and then never wears them, because it was different than she imagined. The book's description of a women's college in another era - where students were judged on their physique by a panel and meals were taken as a formal dining experience - is fascinating. (carmeller)
3. This author was born in Wisconsin and died in Missouri. She wrote seven novels about her life with her pioneering family. Her first book, the one about living in Wisconsin, is "Little House in the Big Woods". Who is this author?

Answer: Laura Ingalls Wilder

There was a popular television series based on her book, "Little House on the Prairie". "Little House in the Big Woods" was first published in 1931 and has been translated into 40 languages. All her books are still being published. (Duchess716)
4. This author is a native St. Louisan and a graduate of the University of Iowa's Writer's Workshop. He wrote a novel that has been made into a movie starring Susan Sarandon and James Spader. The movie was shot in St. Louis. What is this wonderful book?

Answer: White Palace

Glenn Savan authored the novel and had a cameo in the film. The White Castle chain wouldn't let them use the name for the book or film. The diner where the film was shot wanted to change its name to White Palace afterwards but the film company wouldn't let them either. Glenn died in 2003. (bridgewiz)
5. The poem "Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight" describes a Lincoln so disturbed by the troubles of the world that it stirs him from his eternal slumber. He walks the streets contemplating the amount of bloodshed in this world and wonders if peace will ever be achieved. Which Midwestern poet wrote this poem?

Answer: Vachel Lindsay

Vachel Lindsay was born in Springfield, IL in the year 1879. He was known as the "Prairie Troubadour" because of his use of American Midwest themes. He would travel the country, from Illinois to New Mexico, while trading his poems for food and lodging.

Although Vachel Lindsay enjoyed some success as a poet in his time, he was also known for bouts of depression. Sadly, plagued by financial troubles and failing in health, he took his own life by drinking a bottle of Lysol in 1931. (DireWolf74)
6. This Missouri author achieved fame in the late 19th century with a series of short stories and poems. Most notable among his works were the "Columbian Historical Novels". Who was this Show-Me writer?

Answer: John Musick

John R. Musick was raised in Kirksville, Missouri. His 14-volume "Columbian Historical Novels", published in 1892, were considered pioneering in the field of historical fiction. Active in Republican politics, he was also offered the position of Consul to Siam (present-day Thailand) by President William McKinley but chose to continue his writing career. Musick died in 1901 from lingering injuries suffered in a large deadly 1899 tornado that struck Kirksville. (spaudrey)
7. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, he followed the path of his uncle who went into politics and became Governor of California. Serving one term in the Indiana House of Representatives, he could have rested on those laurels. Instead, he took his more prominent career of writing, authoring books about his time at Princeton University, and winning two Pulitzer Prizes, one for his book "The Magnificent Ambersons", which was a fictional work about a family living in upper-class Indianapolis. Who is this author?

Answer: Booth Tarkington

All four authors were the backbone for a surge of literature coming from the state of Indiana in the first half of the 20th century. But Booth Tarkington is the author in question here. He also won the Pulitzer for "Alice Adams", which is about a woman trying to win the affections of a beau a bit above her in the social hierarchy. (spaudrey)
8. Folk literature about the character of Paul Bunyan has been passed around for nearly two centuries. But the first evidence of anyone putting it into print came from a local newspaper. What was the newspaper who took advantage of the folk popularity of Paul Bunyan?

Answer: Duluth News Tribune

William B. Laughead, a freelance writer, was the first to use Paul's likeness in advertising, but an uncredited editorial in the Duluth News Tribune was the first recorded time Bunyan's name appeared in print at all, in 1904. Similar to the legend of John Henry, the hyperbolic level of Bunyan's accomplishments were not necessarily accurate in the way the folklore raised his image up, but once the absurdity of his abilities rose to superhuman, the popularity of the character skyrocketed. (LilyKae)
9. Mark Twain was born in Florida, Missouri, and moved to Hannibal when he was four. He was an incredibly prolific writer, and his classics "Tom Sawyer" and "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" have become icons in American Literature. But from these lesser known stories, can you guess which one Mark Twain didn't write?

Answer: The Bridge of San Luis Rey

"The Bridge of San Luis Rey" is a novel by Thornton Wilder.

Mark Twain was quoted as saying, "I came in with Halley's Comet in 1835...I expect to go out with it." He was correct. He died of a heart attack in 1910, the year Halley's Comet returned. (spaudrey)
10. Earl Derr Biggers was born in Ohio, so he has Midwestern roots. Among his many works was a series of mystery novels featuring the Oriental detective, Charlie Chan. Which was the first book in the series?

Answer: The House Without a Key

Biggers' "The House Without a Key" was published in 1925. It introduced the character of Charlie Chan, a Honolulu homicide detective.

"The Chinese Parrot", published in 1926 has Chan traveling to California.

"Charlie Chan Carries On" published in 1930 has Chan at sea solving a series of murders.

"Keeper of the Keys" was released in 1932. It was the last Chan mystery written by Biggers. He died before he could continue the series.

Although Biggers spent most of his life outside the Midwest, we still claim him as a Midwest author. (JMElston)
Source: Author JMElston

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