Stephen King's Dark Tower Series | 15 Question Literature Multiple Choice Quiz

Answer: Robert Browning

Robert Browning, husband of fellow Victorian poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning, wrote the poem "Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came".

Answer: Wizard and Glass

This fourth novel in the series is primarily concerned with taking us back to Roland's personal story, which began in "The Gunslinger."

Answer: All of these

"Wizard and Glass" makes allusions to all of these works. In addition, it also draws upon Christian allegory. Roland and Susan together form a sort of Christ-figure in the novel. It is Susan who suffers the betrayal, but Roland's Tower is for him something like Christ's cross.

It is his purpose and destiny, and its shadow looms darkly about him in life. He, like Christ, must sacrifice a life of potential worldly happiness to fulfill his dark purpose.

Answer: Joshua

Joshua, in his speech, says, "Choose you this day whom you will serve, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15).

Answer: Mid-World

The Dark Tower is as ambiguous in King's series as it was in Browning's poem. It is unclear whether finding the Dark Tower will really halt the destruction of Mid-World (and indeed all worlds), whether Roland's quest is a worthy goal (the will of "ka") or merely a kind of madness. Is Roland riding the dream, or, as Cuthbert wonders, "is it riding him?" It is the question that haunts all four of the novels.

Answer: Eddie

We meet Eddie in the second novel in the series, "The Drawing of the Three." Many of the names of Roland's gunslinger friends are drawn from Browning's poem.

Answer: T.S. Eliot

Eliot's famous poem "The Wasteland" speaks of a spiritually empty modern world.

Answer: The Wastelands

"In medias res" is the literary term for "in the middle of things." "The Waste Lands" ends with a real cliffhanger, which is not resolved until "Wizard and Glass."

Answer: The Gunslinger

The series was begun in March of 1970, and by the end of the 20th century, King had published three additional novels.

Answer: Cort

Walter is the man in black, Brown is a border dweller, and Sheb is a honky tonk piano player. All first appear in "The Gunslinger."

Answer: Selena

Susy and Paula were the names of stewardesses on the plane in "The Drawing of the Three."

Answer: Susannah

Susan is the name of Roland's first love. Sarah is the name of Susannah's mother.

Answer: Gilead, Steven

He is known as the gunslinger and Lord of ancient lands. Cort was his teacher, not his father.

Answer: The Stand

He is the infamous Randall Flagg. King often draws from his past works, bringing in both former characters and places.

Answer: The Little Sisters of Eluria

"The Little Sisters of Eluria" appeared first in an anthology of Robert Silverberg, called "Legends." It was later published in King's collection "Everything's Eventual." The work takes place before the events of "The Gunslinger." In it, Roland happens upon the deserted town of Eluria, which is haunted by the sounds of bumping, ringing, and singing.