Joliette Masquerade Quiz | General

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. You are greeted at the entrance by a blonde-ringleted beauty dressed in a crinoline. "You will probably know my husband better than me. We 'lived' in Victorian times. I may be the original 'dumb blonde', though there is a certain deviousness to my nature. I've kept my darling husband guessing all through our married life - well he is away so often on his heroic adventures and I get so lonely. I'm Scottish by birth and the author who created me also has a Scottish name," says the beauty. Can you guess her identity?

Answer: Lady Elspeth Flashman

If you think Victorian history is boring, says Supersal1, the lady in the crinoline, I urge you to read the Flashman books by George McDonald Fraser. In most of the books Elspeth only has fleeting appearances. The exception to this is 'Flashman's Lady', in which her flirtatious ways lead to her being kidnapped by pirates - well it could happen to anyone!

All the other characters are real - Elizabeth Garret Anderson was the first British woman to qualify as a doctor . Mary Seacole was a nurse who set up her own hospital to nurse soldiers injured in the Crimean war. Madeline Smith stood trial for poisoning her lover - the verdict was 'not proven' - a verdict which has been described as 'not guilty but don't do it again'.

2. Approaching from the left, a suave, sophisticated feline doffs a plumed hat and does a sweeping bow. "At your service," Puss purrs. "Do you know," he continues, "I was originally created in 1697, but it was in 2004 that my character finally found real fame on the silver screen. I am a star!" Which character have you encountered now?

Answer: Puss in Boots

The character of Puss in Boots was created by French author Charles Perrault. The screen debut about which he was so excited was 'Shrek 2' whose characterisation of Puss, brought to life so admirably with the sophisticated tones of Antonio Banderas, awakened interest in the character.

And beneath the plumed hat and whiskered face? None other than Elskede.

3. Lingering near the entrance, a rifle slung upon his back and carrying a compass, William Clark, the famous explorer and cartographer is scrutinising all the new arrivals. He introduces himself. "Along with Meriwether Lewis," he continues, "I explored the great Northwest for President Thomas Jefferson. We had some very difficult times, but which of the following Shoshone Indians came to our assistance when we most needed it?"

Answer: Sacajawea

Sacajawea's role in assisting the expedition is well documented. Her interpreting skills were invaluable, as was her mere presence on the journey, as hostile tribe members encountered on the way invariably realised that a woman with a baby accompanying the men meant that their intentions would not be aggressive.
Pocahontas (Pamunkey tribe) is credited with saving John Smith's life in the first English settlement in America at Jamestown, Virginia. Kateria Takawitha (Mohawk father/Algonquin mother) was the first Native American Catholic nun, and the first Native American to be considered for sainthood. Maria Tallchief (Osage) is an internationally-known ballerina who was the first American to dance at the Paris Opera.

j2cp2 was proud to wear the outfit of a man who is one of his ancestors to the costume ball.

4. A tall figure accosts you. A gentle-faced man with shaggy hair, the White Knight from 'Alice Through the Looking Glass' offers to accompany you to get some refreshments. On the way he entertains you with descriptions of some of his brilliant ideas. But which of the following is NOT one of his inventions?

Answer: Glue made out of old cake to keep riders in the saddle

Lewis Carroll's character of the White Knight is the figure with which he is often identified by many students of his works.

StuHern is equally fascinated by the Knight who appears in 'Through the Looking Glass', the sequel to 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'.

5. As you approach the ballroom floor you encounter a foppishly dressed character in a powdered wig, clutching a half full glass of red wine. "Well ods bodkins I AM finely attired!" he twitters. "Now if you'd really like to know how to tie a cravat, I'll tell you. But it isn't easy, mind you. Takes all my brains. And it must be because they seek me here, they seek me there, those Frenchies seek me everywhere...!" Who is this fascinating character?

Answer: Sir Percy Blakeney

Sir Percy Blakeney is, of course, the man behind the character known as 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' in the books written by Baroness Orczy. In his 'real life' Sir Percy was thought by all, including his wife, Marguerite initially, to be a foolish, witless fop, a masterly disguise which enabled him to carry out his daring exploits without fear of discovery.

Tommy-r enjoyed playing the part of Sir Percy.

6. Wandering around, bending the ears of anyone who will listen to him about 'the nature' and his days with an infamous punk band of the late seventies, Avin Itoffski is doing a remarkably good job of trying to sell his character's autobiography entitled 'No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs'. Which punk icon is Avin impersonating?

Answer: John Lydon (Johnny Rotten)

Johnny Rotten, now better known as John Lydon was a member of the Sex Pistols who shocked the world with their approach to life and music - their album 'Anarchy in the UK' was well named, and they were a seminal part of the punk movement. John Lydon, however, demonstrated a softer side to his character on an appearance in the 2004 Version of 'I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here' when he professed to being there for 'the nature' and stood a good chance of winning the series when he walked out. The title of his autobiography, 'No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs' was a reference to signs which were posted in London boarding houses until as recently as the mid-sixties, and which he saw on a regular basis in his early life in London.

7. Nearby, one of the oldest and most magical creatures ever to inhabit a Tolkien tale is lurking, waiting for you to identify him . His clue for you to guess his identity is a little rhyme. "Old XXX XXXXXXXX is a merry fellow; Bright blue his jacket is, and his boots are yellow." Which fantastic character is this?

Answer: Tom Bombadil

Just who (or to some experts the question is what) was Tom Bombadil is a debate which has long entangled Tolkien scholars. He was obviously a being of great power, in his own words taken from The Silmarillon, "In the House of Tom Bombadil", Tom says of himself, "He was here before the Kings and the graves and the Barrow-wights. When the Elves passed westward, Tom was here already, before the seas were bent." All of the above alternative answers appear as characters in one or more of Tolkien's works.

Bracklaman was delighted to be able to don the costume of one of his favourite characters.

8. Barely recognisable beneath a towering powdered wig, Baldricksmum adjusts her lace fichu with an expression of deep regret. "Sad but true," the old weather beaten she-dragon intoned gravely. "I've illuminated any possibility of winning a prize in the fancy dress parade; I suspect the result is a foregone contusion." What is the identity she has chosen for the masquerade party?

Answer: Mrs Malaprop

Mrs Malaprop is one of the most famous and enduring creations of Richard Brinsley Sheridan in his 1775 play 'The Rivals'. Mrs Malaprop's habit of misusing words has endeared her to generations of theatre goers and English students for many years. One of her most famous quotations is, "He is the very pine-apple of politeness!" Baldricksmum played the character faultlessly, "...as headstrong as an allegory on the banks of Nile."

9. Holding forth at the bar is a stocky figure resplendent in a bicorn hat. One hand is tucked firmly inside his coat while the other clutches a large glass of red wine. "Of course," intones the Napoleonic look-alike, "I actually surrendered aboard ship, and not on the fields of Waterloo as is commonly thought. The ship was affectionately called Billy Ruffian by its crew, but what was its correct name?"

Answer: HMS Bellerophon

For three weeks the Bellerephon was responsible for holding Napoleon under the guard of its commanding officer, Captain Maitland, to whom Napoleon had surrendered, until his transfer to HMS Northumberland which took him to St.Helena, the island on which he died six years later.

Beneath the hat, pimplehead is relishing the role of Napoleon.

10. As you leave the party, a last figure is waiting to bid you farewell by the door. With grey hair and glasses, dressed in her habitual black robes and pointed hat, MaggieG 5 in the guise of Miss Cackle sets you one final challenge. "I run an academy for witches," she informs you, "But who is my most infamous pupil?"

Answer: Mildred Hubble

Mildred Hubble is 'The Worst Witch' in the series of children's books written by Jill Murphy. Despite her good intentions, Mildred's spells frequently get her into a good deal of trouble, aided and abetted by her two friends, Enid Nightshade and Maud Moonshine. The first book was filmed in 1986, while the whole series was later broadcast on British television from 1998 - 2001. Hermione Grainger, is, of course, from the Harry Potter series.

Source: Author MaggieG

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor trident before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Joliette Masquerade Trivia Quiz

The annual Joliette get together is planned as a masquerade party. You have been invited - but are you up to the challenges which various Joliettes will set you while you're there?

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>