You Can't Handle the Truth Trivia Quiz

Answer: Sojourner Truth

Truth was an imposing woman at six feet tall. In 1851 she said, "I did not run off, for I thought that wicked, but I walked off, believing that to be all right." She sued the government for return of her children and won. She worked tirelessly for civil rights, women's rights, and equality.

Sojourner Truth in a 1851 speech said, "The poor men seem to be all in confusion, and don't know what to do. Why children, if you have woman's rights, give it to her and you will feel better. You will have your own rights, and they won't be so much trouble. I can't read, but I can hear. I have heard the bible and have learned that Eve caused man to sin. Well, if woman upset the world, do give her a chance to set it right side up again". (Note there are variations of the exact words.)

Answer: Oscar Wilde

Wilde was a man of immense wit and charm, and is one of the most quoted men in the English language. Dorothy Parker once wrote a brief poem to him.

"If, with the literate, I am
Impelled to try an epigram,
I never seek to take the credit;
We all assume that Oscar said it."

A wildebeest is related to the gnu.
'What's a gnu?'
'Not much what gnu with you?'

Answer: Jim Morrison

Morrison was frequently arrested, generally under the influence of drugs or alcohol. His arrest picture was taken for lewd and lascivious conduct during a rock concert. However, he published three volumes of poetry and was an experimental film-maker. His themes were often the search for truth, freedom of the individual, and anti-establishment.

Answer: Mark Twain

Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) is most remembered for his classic novels "Tom Sawyer"(1876) and "Huckleberry Finn" (1884). Twain also wrote of life on the Mississippi, his foreign travels, short stories, and host of journalistic endeavors. As he aged he became more cynical of the world around him, as revealed by these quotes.

Answer: Ayn Rand

Ayn Rand was a novelist, philosopher, playwright, and screenwriter. Her most enduring achievement was the doctrine of objectivism that placed independence of man in the context of capitalism. Rather than writing a turgid academic book on her philosophy, she wrote turgid novels such as 1943's "The Fountainhead" and 1957's "Atlas Shrugged". At an American Tea Party gathering, one might well see signs proclaiming John Galt, the protagonist in "Atlas Shrugged". Politicians influenced by Rand often have a heavy burden to bear.

Dorothy Parker, as a book critic, said of "Atlas Shrugged": "This is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force".

Answer: Ralph Edwards

Ralph Edwards had a very popular radio program called "Truth or Consequences" that ran on radio from 1940 to 1957. The contestant would be asked a silly question and had only a couple of seconds to answer. Lacking the 'truth', the contestant had to perform a stunt.

In 1959, Edwards said that any town willing to change its name to "Truth or Consequences" would be the host for the program's ten year anniversary. Hot Springs took the challenge. Ralph Edwards returned each year to the town as it built his visits into an annual celebration. Many celebrities came with Edwards each year.

Answer: An Inconvenient Truth

The full title of Gore's book that the film was based upon is "An Inconvenient Truth: The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About It". The Nobel Prize was for his work in climate change activism.

After two terms as vice president under Bill Clinton, Gore lost a debatable campaign with George Bush even though he won the popular vote.

Answer: Bud Collyer

On "On Tell the Truth", three contestants claimed to be people who did something unusual, but only one was telling the truth. A guest panel had to determine who was telling the truth.

Bud Collyer had a very masculine voice which was a natural for radio and later television. Collyer hosted "To Tell the Truth" from 1956-68. He cited ill health on continuing and was replaced by Garry Moore. He was the voice of Superman on the radio. He was a fervent anti-communist and gave generously to charities.

Answer: Alexander Pope

The hunched-back Pope was a brilliant poet who delighted in attacking (in satire) his contemporaries and those he felt were arrogant or foolish, hence his designation as a wicked wasp. He is one of the most quoted persons in the English language.

Answer: Psalms

The Book of Psalms consists of 150 psalms (or songs). According to legend, 73 of the 150 psalms in the Bible are attributed to King David, which Biblical scholars dispute, although there is some evidence of authorship in the Dead Sea Scrolls.

The Psalms are roughly divided into five categories: hymns of praise, general laments, royal psalms relating to kings and leaders, individual laments, and thanksgiving.