23rd-Century Literature Trivia Quiz

Answer: Moby Dick

In the 23rd century whaling will, hopefully, be viewed with complete abhorrence, and Herman Melville's "Moby Dick" will be completely changed. Captain Ahab will be charged with animal cruelty. He will be sent for compulsory re-education to a correctional facility, where he will be brainwashed into loving all animals. Ishmael, the cabin boy, will be hailed as a hero for alerting the authorities to the Captain's deviant behaviour.

Answer: Frankenstein

In the 23rd century Baron Frankenstein is a hero. Mary Shelly's "Frankenstein" is no longer a horror story. Instead it is a story of a scientist succeeding in the ultimate dream of creating man without pregnancy and birth being involved. With both male and female beings created they go on to create progeny of their own, still by artificial means, and eventually they are the only beings populating the world.

Answer: 1984

George Orwell's classic "1984" has been re-titled "2214", and is an account of day to day life. Room 101 is not something to be feared, instead it is a reward, given only to those who have rendered exceptional service to the state. 'Big Brother' is loved and adored as the saviour and benefactor of mankind.

Answer: The Grapes of Wrath

John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath" no longer refers to farmers fleeing the dust bowls. Instead, broken and desperate city workers and bankers are fleeing from the collapse and wreckage they have caused by their bad practices. Trying to find a better life. they find no-one has any sympathy for them and no community wants them to settle there.

They have become the most reviled people on earth.

Answer: Lord of the Flies

In the 23rd century schoolboys, and humanity in general, have become so civilised that when a group of them become stranded they work together to ensure mutual survival. A far cry from the William Golding original work, "Lord of the Flies", where being stranded brought out the worst in the boys.

Answer: Pride and Prejudice

In Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" Mrs Bennett is desperate to marry off her daughters. In the 23rd century version marriage is so old fashioned that any woman getting married is looked down on as a lower class citizen. Mrs Bennet, in a plot reversal, is desperate for her daughters to avoid this fate.

Answer: Treasure Island

In "Treasure Island" young Jim Hawkins sets sail on the 'Hispaniola' to find pirate buried treasure somewhere in the Caribbean. Led by Long John Silver, complete with his parrot, the crew are mainly pirates. In the 23rd century version they are aboard the inter-galactic starship 'Hispaniola' searching for the treasure planet. Mr Silver leads the crew with his pet, a robotic macaw, as his constant companion.

Answer: To Kill a Mockingbird

In the 23rd century aliens from other planets live in earth, but are forbidden from mating with humans. In Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird", Atticus Finch defends a black man against charges of raping a white woman. In the 23rd century version he defends the alien against charges of mating with a human.

Answer: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

In Lewis Carroll's original book Alice is out of doors, lying on the grass, when she sees and follows the white rabbit. In the 23rd century she somehow brings him to life on her computer and follows him into a virtual fantasy world. She becomes trapped in the computer programme and only escapes when her father finds her, apparently asleep, at the computer and turns it off.

Answer: The Time Machine

In H.G. Well's original book the traveller, who is never named, travels forward in history observing various changes in earth's population, industry and climate. In the 23rd century time travel is commonplace, and war and poverty is unknown. The traveller decides to investigate historic times, and goes back to the 20th century where he is horrified by world wars, famines and social injustice.

As in the original novel he tells his companions he is going to make one last journey, and is never heard from again.