College Literature Exam Trivia Quiz

Answer: Molly Bloom

In the final chapter of 'Ulysses', the perspective shifts to Molly Bloom, wife of the main character Leopold Bloom. This chapter is famous for its stream-of-consciousness style and complete lack of punctuation, mirroring Molly's inner thoughts and feelings as she lies in bed beside her husband.

It is also known for its frank and explicit language regarding her sexual desires and experiences, which was considered scandalous when the novel was published in 1922.

Answer: Boxer

Boxer is a hardworking and loyal horse in George Orwell's 'Animal Farm'. He represents the working class, exploited by those in power. His famous catchphrase 'I will work harder' reflects his dedication to the cause, but he is ultimately betrayed and sent to the knacker's yard.

Boxer's blind loyalty to his leaders is a sharp commentary on how the working class can be manipulated by those who claim to act in their interests.

Answer: Dora

In 'David Copperfield', Dora Spenlow is David's first wife. She is portrayed as beautiful but childlike, easily distracted, frivolous, and incapable of managing a household.
Dora was based on Charles Dickens' first love, Maria Beadnell.

As a young man, Dickens fell for Maria, but her wealthy family rejected him because he was a poor journalist. Like Dora, Maria was beautiful, flirtatious, and flighty. This heartbreak left a mark on Dickens, and he channelled that youthful infatuation into David's romance with Dora.

In contrast, Dickens' real-life wife Catherine was well-educated and from a literary family. Their marriage ended after 22 years and ten children due to incompatibility and Dickens' demanding personality.

Answer: William Golding

William Golding wrote 'Lord of the Flies'. The novel was first published in 1954 and has since become a classic of English literature. The story follows a group of boys stranded on an uninhabited island and their descent into savagery.

Golding's inspiration for the novel stemmed from his experiences in the Second World War, during which he witnessed the true nature of humanity and the evil that people are capable of. 'Lord of the Flies' has been adapted into multiple films, plays, and even an opera.

Answer: Dean Moriarty

Sal Paradise's best friend in 'On the Road' is Dean Moriarty. Dean is a charismatic and free-spirited character who embodies the Beat Generation's ideals of non-conformity and spontaneity. He is based on the real-life figure Neal Cassady, who was a close friend of author Jack Kerouac.

Dean's wild and reckless behaviour contrasts with Sal's more reserved and introspective personality, making for a dynamic and memorable friendship. 'On the Road' is considered a defining work of the Beat Generation and a classic of American literature.

Answer: Soma

In 'Brave New World', soma is a drug used to keep people in a state of happiness and contentment. It is a hallucinogenic substance distributed by the government to maintain social stability.

The use of soma is a commentary on the dangers of a society that values pleasure and happiness above all else, and the consequences of a population too content to question authority. The novel presents a dystopian future where soma is a means of control, and the people are unable to see the flaws in their society.

Answer: Jake Barnes

The protagonist and narrator of Ernest Hemingway's 'The Sun Also Rises' is Jake Barnes, a First World War veteran and journalist. The novel is written from his point of view as he navigates post-war life in Paris and Spain.

Hemingway himself was a war veteran and spent time in Paris during the 1920s, which served as inspiration for the novel. 'The Sun Also Rises' is considered a classic of modernist literature and explores themes of disillusionment, masculinity, and the Lost Generation.

Answer: Nurse

In 'The World According to Garp', Garp's mother Jenny Fields is a nurse. She is strong-willed and independent, raising her son T.S. Garp on her own terms after conceiving him through an unusual encounter with a dying soldier. Jenny deliberately chose single motherhood, rejecting traditional marriage and family structures. Her character challenges 1970s gender norms throughout the novel.

She later writes an autobiography that becomes a feminist manifesto, making her a controversial public figure. Her unconventional choices and refusal to conform to societal expectations shape Garp's own complicated views on relationships, family, and independence.

Answer: Cornwall

In 'King Lear', Cornwall gouges out Gloucester's eyes. This brutal act symbolises both literal and metaphorical blindness, as well as the unchecked cruelty of those seeking power. Cornwall embodies pure malice, working alongside his wife Regan, Lear's second daughter.

The scene contrasts sharply with the Duke of Albany, husband of Lear's eldest daughter Goneril. While Cornwall and Regan embody ruthless cruelty, Albany acts as a moral counterpoint. Though initially passive, he eventually condemns the brutality and corruption surrounding him.

Answer: Sancho Panza

Sancho Panza is the loyal and comical squire of Don Quixote in the famous novel by Miguel de Cervantes. He is known for his practicality and common sense, often serving as a foil to Don Quixote's delusions of grandeur.

Sancho Panza was not originally intended to be a major character in the novel, but his popularity with readers led Cervantes to expand his role. The character has since become a famous figure in literature and has been adapted into various forms of media, including plays, operas, and films.