Son of the Circus Trivia Quiz

Answer: Nuts

Toby is purchasing and buying nuts from Mr. Lord, proprietor of the circus. He complains about getting only six nuts for a cent, since that is all the money he has to spend. He asks for new nuts to replace the old nuts that turn out to be hollow inside. He is described as a short, stout boy that loves to eat. Toby talks about never getting enough to eat at home. Mr. Job Lord seems kindly to Toby, but the discerning reader may wonder if all is as it seems.

"Toby Tyler; or, Ten Weeks with a Circus" was the most famous work written by James Otis Kaler (1848-1912), under the name "James Otis". He was a journalist and writer of chidlren's literature. He published several series of books, as well as stand-alone books.

Answer: Uncle Daniel

While talking to Mr. Lord during the first chapter, Toby describes life with "Uncle Dan'l", who is not a relation to Toby by blood or marriage, but nonetheless is Toby's guardian. Daniel appears to be a deacon from an unknown church who is guardian to several other boys besides Toby. From Toby's perspective, Uncle Daniel is a strict guardian who raps him on his head when Toby falls asleep during prayer meeting and complains that Toby eats more than he earns. Mr. Lord offers Toby a chance to join the circus as his assistant at the candy stand.

"Toby Tyler; or, Ten Weeks with a Circus" was first published serially in "Harper's Young People" in 1877 before being published in book form in 1881 by Harper and Brothers Publishers.

Answer: A monkey

Toby seems to regret his decision to run away even before he actually does, since he seems to have lost his appetite at dinner, a fact noted by Uncle Daniel. After completing his chores, Toby returns to the circus. Toby ends up talking to a monkey described as "venerable", who Toby views as being wise. He tells the monkey: "Well, I'm the same feller, an' I don't mind telling you that I'm awfully sorry that I promised that candy man I'd go with him...I wish I wasn't goin', after all, 'cause it don't seem a bit like a good time now; but I s'pose I must, 'cause I promised to, an' 'cause the candy man has got all my things."

"Toby Tyler; or, Ten Weeks with a Circus" was meant to be a novel with a moral, where children could see what could happen when they did what they were not supposed to do. Modern readers often skim or the message--don't run away from home--and focus on the excitement of the tale.

Answer: Doughnut

Toby, showing the hunger he has previously displayed, rapidly eats the doughnut. The man--who later refers to himself as Old Ben--warns him to slow down so he doesn't choke. By chance, the wagon Toby is riding on is carrying the same monkey to which he was speaking earlier. Old Ben is noted for having an odd sort of laugh that sounds like choking. He attempts to give Toby some advice about being sure to fill up at meal time since the food provided is not always bountiful.

In 1960, "Toby Tyler or Ten Weeks with a Circus" was released as a motion picture by Disney. The film was directed by Charles Barton and starred Kevin Corcoran.

Answer: If he eats frogs' legs

The circus has arrived at its new location that morning. Toby goes to a nearby stream to wash his face. Upon his return, he meets the boys. They boys seem to think that traveling with the circus would be wonderful. Although Toby does not think so, he decides not to tell this to the boys. The boys ask him if the frogs' legs are what makes him limber. Upon hearing the question, Toby realizes he has not eaten any breakfast and he is hungry.

In 1964, the motion picture "Toby Tyler or Ten Weeks with a Circus" was edited into two episodes of Disney's "Wonderful World of Color".

Answer: A rubber cane

Mr. Lord uses a "thin rubber cane" to hit Toby on several unnamed parts of his body. Toby is in great pain, but decides that he will not scream in pain to deny Mr. Lord that satisfaction. This seems to upset Mr. Lord, who responds by hitting Toby with more force. The intervention of Ben stops the beating. According to Ben, this is not the first boy that Mr. Lord has punished in this way.

The cast of "Toby Tyler or Ten Weeks with a Circus" also starred Henry Calvin and Gene Sheldon, who had recently been part of Disney's popular television series "Zorro".

Answer: Lemonade

Toby's job includes fetching water, cleaning the used glasses, and chopping lemons. He is fairly industrious at working at this job, but seems to derive no joy from it, as he still misses home. When he gets a chance to take a break and get lunch, he spends so long at the lunch table (and eats enough) that Mr. Lord becomes cross with him again. Shortly after this he meets his other employer, Mr. Jacobs inside the tent. Mr. Jacobs appears to be as harsh as Mr. Lord.

Answer: He takes counterfeit money

At first Toby is too shy to sell glasses of lemonade as he walks through the circus tent. Mr. Jacobs threatens to break his bones if Toby is not able to make any sales. Toby is able then to speak loudly enough to make some sales. He accidentally take a lead ten-cent coin for two glasses of lemonade. Mr. Jacobs says he will take this out of Toby's first week's pay. Toby is able to convince the man who had given him the counterfeit coin to take it back and give money is exchange. Shortly after this Toby meets the same monkey he had befriended earlier. He names the monkey Mr. Stubbs since he reminds Toby of someone he knew by that name.

A sequel to "Toby Tyler; or, Ten Weeks in a Circus" called "Mr. Stubbs' Brother" was published in 1883.

Answer: The fat lady and the thin man

The man is advertised by the circus as the Living Skeleton and his name is Samuel Treat. His wife, Lilly, is the Fat Lady of the Circus. Both are very kind in how they treat Toby and seem upset at how Mr. Lord and Mr. Jacobs treat him. Though they bicker sometimes, Samuel and Lilly also seem to care for each other.

Answer: The wagon breaks down

Before the accident, Toby and Old Ben had been talking about how much Mr. Stubbs the monkey can understand human speech. Ben hears the sound of one of the axles breaking, and he and Toby are able to avoid injury. The wagon falls onto the road and this allows the animals to escape. Toby finds Mr. Stubbs to assure him that he (Toby) is not injured.