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The Bonfire Of The Vanities Trivia Quiz

Tom Wolfe's "The Bonfire Of The Vanities" was first published in 1987. The novel tells a tale of New York City and how one episode impacted the lives of several people. Please note: this quiz is based on the novel, not the subsequent film version.

A multiple-choice quiz by Lost_Player_47. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Lost_Player_47

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
268,649

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
241

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. How does protagonist Sherman McCoy often refer to himself and his fellow associates? Hint

"The King Of The Hill"

"Master Of The Universe"

"The Bond Bores"

"Master Brokers"

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Question 2 of 10

2. When Sherman McCoy picks up Maria Ruskin at the airport and they miss a turn heading toward Manhattan, what part of New York do they wind up in? Hint

Harlem

The South Bronx

Brooklyn

Staten Island

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Question 3 of 10

3. Who was driving Sherman McCoy's Mercedes when the car struck Henry Lamb? Hint

Sherman McCoy

The Driver Was Never Identified

Roland Auburn

Maria Ruskin

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Reporter Peter Fallow worked for which publication? Hint

New York Observer

The City Light

New York Times

Time

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Question 5 of 10

5. What black leader in the Harlem community turned the accident which involved Henry Lamb into a political case which would benefit him and the causes he was working for? Hint

Reverend Reginald Bacon

Lawrence Kramer

Roland Auburn

The Mayor

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. What is "The Rent-Controlled Love Nest?" Hint

The Rent-Controlled apartment where Sherman McCoy and Maria Ruskin meet

The apartment where Judy McCoy entertaines her male friends

The bar where Roland Auburn works

Peter Fallow's nickname for Arthur Ruskin's house

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Question 7 of 10

7. By the end of the novel, who else had used "The Rent-Controlled Love Nest?" Hint

Reverend Bacon

Thomas Killian

Lawrence Kramer

Annie Lamb

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Why was the reckless endangerment case against Sherman McCoy dismissed? Hint

It wasn't dismissed. He was found innocent.

Henry Lamb recovered from his injuries

It wasn't dismissed. He was found guilty.

Maria Ruskin, a chief witness for the prosecution, had perjured herself while testifying

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. At the end of the novel, why was Real Estate broker Sally Rawthrote suing Sherman McCoy? Hint

She was not suing Sherman McCoy

He had sold her some worthless bonds

He slugged her on the sidewalk

She was sued for the commission she had obtained from selling Sherman McCoy's apartment

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. What is "The Favor Bank?" Hint

Part of chinese legal theory

The bank where Sherman McCoy hides his money

An informal method in New York City's legal system where friends help each other

An expression that Maria Ruskin uses when she discusses past boyfriends

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. How does protagonist Sherman McCoy often refer to himself and his fellow associates?

Answer: "Master Of The Universe"

The first chapter of the novel is entitled "The Master of the Universe," and Sherman McCoy uses that term to refer to himself and his fellow bond traders literally dozens of times throughout the book.

2. When Sherman McCoy picks up Maria Ruskin at the airport and they miss a turn heading toward Manhattan, what part of New York do they wind up in?

Answer: The South Bronx

McCoy makes a wrong turn and the two of them do indeed wind up in the South Bronx.

3. Who was driving Sherman McCoy's Mercedes when the car struck Henry Lamb?

Answer: Maria Ruskin

Maria Ruskin was indeed driving the car when it struck Henry Lamb, but Roland Auburn identified the driver as Sherman McCoy.

4. Reporter Peter Fallow worked for which publication?

Answer: The City Light

Peter Fallow did indeed work for The City Light, a local New York paper that specialized in sensational journalism.

5. What black leader in the Harlem community turned the accident which involved Henry Lamb into a political case which would benefit him and the causes he was working for?

Answer: Reverend Reginald Bacon

It was Reverend Reginald Bacon, the leader of the All People's Solidarity movement who turned Henry Lamb's accident into a political situation.

6. What is "The Rent-Controlled Love Nest?"

Answer: The Rent-Controlled apartment where Sherman McCoy and Maria Ruskin meet

"The Love-Controlled Rent Nest" is what Peter Fallow in 'The City Light' dubs the rent-controlled apartment where Sherman McCoy and Maria Ruskin have their trysts.

7. By the end of the novel, who else had used "The Rent-Controlled Love Nest?"

Answer: Lawrence Kramer

District Attorney Lawrence Kramer had indeed also used "The Rent-Controlled Love Nest" for liaisons with his girlfriend Shelly Thomas.

8. Why was the reckless endangerment case against Sherman McCoy dismissed?

Answer: Maria Ruskin, a chief witness for the prosecution, had perjured herself while testifying

Thomas Killian, Sherman McCoy's attorney, produced a recording where Maria Ruskin admitted she was coerced by the D.A.'s office to state that Sherman McCoy had been driving when the car hit Henry Lamb, even though she was in fact driving.

9. At the end of the novel, why was Real Estate broker Sally Rawthrote suing Sherman McCoy?

Answer: She was sued for the commission she had obtained from selling Sherman McCoy's apartment

Sally Rawthrote was suing to protect her commission, which Henry Lamb's attorney stated should be used to help pay the judgment the courts had awarded Henry Lamb in a civil case against Sherman McCoy.

10. What is "The Favor Bank?"

Answer: An informal method in New York City's legal system where friends help each other

According to Thomas Killian, Sherman McCoy's Attorney, "The Favor Bank" is the means by which friends help each other in New York City's legal system.

Source: Author Lost_Player_47

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