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A Perfect Day for Bananafish Trivia Quiz

A general quiz on one of J. D. Salinger's most well-known short stories. The quiz contains some spoilers if you haven't read the story. Best of luck.

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

Author
Triviaballer

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
220,025

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
1221

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 67 (5/10), hellobion (10/10), Guest 78 (7/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Within what Salinger work or compilation is "A Perfect Day for Bananafish"? Hint

Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour: An Introduction

The Catcher in the Rye

Nine Stories

Franny and Zooey

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. The story begins with Muriel attempting to place a call to her mother in New York. However, she is forced to wait over two hours because 97 men of what profession are monopolizing the long-distance lines at the hotel? Hint

Real Estate

Advertising

Stock Brokers

Basketball Players

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. While Muriel is waiting to get her call through, what magazine article does she read? Hint

Fish are Friends, not Food

Sex is Fun -- or Hell

New Discovery -- Baby Alien Born in Nova Scotia

Living with Split Ends

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. When Muriel is talking to her mother, she mentions that it is the hottest day they've ever had where she is on vacation. In what state is she vacationing? Hint

Alaska

Florida

Hawaii

Minnesota

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Which question did Muriel's mom NOT ask her numerous times during their phone conversation? Hint

Are you all right?

Why haven't you phoned?

Did he try any of that funny business?

How are the bananafish down there?

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. What new nickname do we learn that Seymour Glass has given to Muriel? Hint

Miss Priss of 1948

Miss Attitude of 1948

Miss Roley Poley of 1948

Miss Spiritual Tramp of 1948

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. While Seymour Glass is lying on the beach, a little girl named Sybil Carpenter has a conversation with him. Of the following, what does Sybil not mention as one of her favorite things? Hint

Monopoly

Wax

Olives

Chewing candles

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. When Seymour Glass is describing bananafish, he explains how they go into little banana holes and gorge themselves on as many as 78 bananas. The bananafish then become so large that they cannot swim back out. What disease do the bananafish end up dying from when they get stuck in the banana hole? Hint

Drowning

Implosion of their bodies

Banana Fever

Decapitation

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. After looking for bananafish, Seymour Glass returns to the hotel. As he is about to go to his room on the fifth floor, a lady joins him in the elevator. Why does Seymour yell at the lady in the elevator? Hint

She had a dog that tried to bite him.

She tried to kiss him.

He thinks she was staring at his feet.

She asked him if he was married.

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Flustered from his encounter on the elevator, Seymour returns to his and Muriel's room. What action does Seymour take at the end of the story? Hint

He shoots himself in the head.

He breaks up with Muriel.

He confesses his love to Muriel.

He and Muriel return back to New York.

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Most Recent Scores

Dec 05 2024 : Guest 67: 5/10
Nov 29 2024 : hellobion: 10/10
Nov 28 2024 : Guest 78: 7/10
Nov 20 2024 : Guest 12: 7/10
Nov 17 2024 : JanIQ: 3/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Within what Salinger work or compilation is "A Perfect Day for Bananafish"?

Answer: Nine Stories

"Nine Stories" was originally published in 1953. Along with "A Perfect Day for Bananafish", the compilation includes "Uncle Wiggily in Connecticut", "Just Before the War with the Eskimos", "The Laughing Man", "Down at the Dinghy", "For Esme--with Love and Squalor", "Pretty Mouth and Green My Eyes", "De Daumier-Smith's Blue Period", and "Teddy".

Answer: Advertising

Although Muriel had to wait that long to place the call, the story describes her as "a girl who for a ringing phone dropped exactly nothing". It wasn't until the fifth or sixth ring that she actually picked up the phone.

3. While Muriel is waiting to get her call through, what magazine article does she read?

Answer: Sex is Fun -- or Hell

I'm not sure if Salinger intended for the knowledge of Muriel reading that article to be a funny moment or if it is supposed to shed some light on her character.

4. When Muriel is talking to her mother, she mentions that it is the hottest day they've ever had where she is on vacation. In what state is she vacationing?

Answer: Florida

Muriel describes the incredibly hot Florida weather and how she has received a sunburn. Inferring that Muriel and Seymour drove to Florida from New York at under 50 miles an hour the whole way, it would've taken quite a long time to get there.

5. Which question did Muriel's mom NOT ask her numerous times during their phone conversation?

Answer: How are the bananafish down there?

Muriel's mother seems to be incredibly over-protective and worrisome. In addition, she does not approve of Seymour and wants Muriel to see a psychiatrist.

6. What new nickname do we learn that Seymour Glass has given to Muriel?

Answer: Miss Spiritual Tramp of 1948

Just like the magazine article, I feel that this tidbit is either comic relief or helping us better understand Muriel and Seymour. Muriel is giggling as she tells her mom this new nickname, so Seymour is likely not being malicious when he calls her it.

7. While Seymour Glass is lying on the beach, a little girl named Sybil Carpenter has a conversation with him. Of the following, what does Sybil not mention as one of her favorite things?

Answer: Monopoly

The exchange between Seymour and Sybil is very strange. You get the impression that Seymour has a "Lolitaesque" infatuation for Sybil. Sybil finds Seymour interesting and mentions that she likes olives, wax, and chewing candles. Sybil is also jealous that Seymour has sat on the same bench as Sharon Lipschutz when he played the piano.

Answer: Banana Fever

I am not 100% sure, but I do not think that bananafish are a real species. There seem to be tales about bananas being bad luck for fisherman. Regardless, Seymour enthralls Sybil with his story of these unique fish and their tragic downfall.

Answer: He thinks she was staring at his feet.

The elevator sequence makes it clear to the reader that something is not quite right with Seymour. The lady denies staring at his feet which makes Seymour become extremely angry at her.

10. Flustered from his encounter on the elevator, Seymour returns to his and Muriel's room. What action does Seymour take at the end of the story?

Answer: He shoots himself in the head.

I was shocked when I read the ending. Although Muriel doesn't move for a ringing phone, I'm sure that she reacted accordingly when she heard the gunshot.

Source: Author Triviaballer

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

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Referenced Topics

Literature General Diseases Fish New York Weather Florida Blue J. D. Salinger Green Sequences Connecticut Carpenters

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