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"The White Hotel" by D.M. Thomas Quiz

Beginning with a woman going to Freud with mysterious pains, and ending with one of history's worst atrocities, D.M. Thomas's heart-stopping tale has become a modern classic. How much do you know about 'The White Hotel'?

A multiple-choice quiz by panderson. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
panderson

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
75,981

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
149

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. According to Freud, what does the image of the white hotel represent for 'Frau Anna'? Hint

Her father

Her mother's womb

Her ex-husband

Her left breast

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. When Frau Anna comes to see Dr. Freud, in what two places on her body is she experiencing extreme pain? Hint

Her left arm and right foot

Her right arm and her stomach

Both breasts

Her left breast and her uterus

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Question 3 of 10

3. What does Frau Anna mean when she refers to a 'white relationship'? Hint

An incestuous relationship

A relationship between 2 white people

A non-sexual relationship

A happy relationship

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Question 4 of 10

4. By Part IV, we learn that 'Frau Anna' was just a pseudonym used for Freud's therapy - the woman's real name is Lisa Erdman. Where did she get the name 'Anna' from? Hint

It was the name of Freud's recently-deceased daughter

Anna Schmidt was her favorite singer

It was her mother's name

'Anna' was one of her many personalities

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. What is Lisa Erdman's profession? Hint

Teacher

Translator

Prostitute

Singer

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. Lisa's mother died when she was a child. How did she die? Hint

She burned to death

She was mauled by bears in the Caucasus mountains

She was murdered by the Nazis

She poisoned herself

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Question 7 of 10

7. What was notable about Lisa's mother and aunt? Hint

They were exact opposites in every way

They were identical twins

They never met

They both married men named Gregor Martinovich

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Lisa's brother Yuri, from whom she is estranged for most of her life, moves abroad with his family. Where does he move to? Hint

London, England

Detroit, Michigan, USA

Melbourne, Australia

Montreal, Canada

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Who is the son of Victor and Vera Berenstein, for whom Lisa becomes a surrogate mother when she marries Victor? Hint

Pavel

Kolya

Sasha

Motya

10. Part V of the book, 'The Sleeping Carriage,' is one of the most harrowing scenes in the history of literature. It details a real-life atrocity committed by the Nazis, where thousands of women and children were tortured and killed. What is the name of the place that is the scene for this gruesome episode? Hint

Molkhova Ravine

Katya Mountain

Babi Yar

Luba E'lan

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. According to Freud, what does the image of the white hotel represent for 'Frau Anna'?

Answer: Her mother's womb

This is Freud's interpretation (p. 129), although the White Hotel comes to represent many things for Lisa in her life.

2. When Frau Anna comes to see Dr. Freud, in what two places on her body is she experiencing extreme pain?

Answer: Her left breast and her uterus

We realize by the end of the novel that she is experiencing a form of clairvoyance.

3. What does Frau Anna mean when she refers to a 'white relationship'?

Answer: A non-sexual relationship

Frau Anna associates whiteness with innocence in 'The White Hotel.'

4. By Part IV, we learn that 'Frau Anna' was just a pseudonym used for Freud's therapy - the woman's real name is Lisa Erdman. Where did she get the name 'Anna' from?

Answer: It was the name of Freud's recently-deceased daughter

Talk about an Oedipus Complex!

5. What is Lisa Erdman's profession?

Answer: Singer

Lisa is invited to sing with La Scala opera in Milan, Italy after its lead is forced to take time off.

6. Lisa's mother died when she was a child. How did she die?

Answer: She burned to death

She burned to death in a hotel during an extramarital encounter with her brother-in-law, who also died in the fire.

7. What was notable about Lisa's mother and aunt?

Answer: They were identical twins

Reliving her childhood memories, Lisa claims to have confused the two at times because they were so alike.

8. Lisa's brother Yuri, from whom she is estranged for most of her life, moves abroad with his family. Where does he move to?

Answer: Detroit, Michigan, USA

He returns later in the novel, having Americanized his name to 'George Morris.' He and Lisa have so little in common, she wonders how they 'could have come from the same womb.'

9. Who is the son of Victor and Vera Berenstein, for whom Lisa becomes a surrogate mother when she marries Victor?

Answer: Kolya

After Vera's death, Victor asks Lisa to marry him and be a mother to Kolya. Kolya accepts her as his real mother, although he often gripes about her being too 'old' for a mother.

Answer: Babi Yar

The book says that 250,000 people lost their lives at Babi Yar. Thomas's purpose in writing the book was to show that each one of those nameless victims was a human being, with their own 'White Hotel,' their own private universe that was extinguished by unthinking executioners.

Source: Author panderson

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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