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Works of Nathaniel Hawthorne Trivia Quiz

Here are ten questions on the works of one of America's great authors, Nathaniel Hawthorne. Most of the questions deal with Hawthorne's short stories.

A multiple-choice quiz by fja0485. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
fja0485

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
91,809

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
4 / 10

Plays
733

Last 3 plays: Guest 117 (10/10), Guest 152 (3/10), Guest 110 (2/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which of the following is the title for Hawthorne's introduction to his novel "The Scarlet Letter"? Hint

Legends of the Province House

Pages from a Relinquished Work

The Custom House

The Artist of the Beautiful

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Question 2 of 10

2. In "Young Goodman Brown", who is the first character to address the old traveler as "the Devil"? Hint

Deacon Gookin

the minister

Goodman Brown

Goody Cloyse

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Question 3 of 10

3. In "The Ambitious Guest", where does the young man say he is going after he settles for the evening at the lodge? Hint

Augusta, Maine

Salem, Massachusetts

Burlington, Vermont

Concord, New Hampshire

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Question 4 of 10

4. What is the minister's name in "The Minister's Black Veil"? Hint

Wakefield

William Phips

Hooper

Doane

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Question 5 of 10

5. What book did Hawthorne dedicate to his friend, former President Franklin Pierce? Hint

The House of the Seven Gables

The Blithedale Romance

Our Old Home

Mosses from an Old Manse

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Question 6 of 10

6. In "Ethan Brand", what is left in Bartram's kiln at the end of the story? Hint

Bartram's dead son

a pouch of gold coins

skeleton with a heart of lime

singed pink ribbons

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Question 7 of 10

7. In "My Kinsman, Major Molineux", after Robin's kinsman passes through town in disgrace, the townspeople laugh. How does Robin react? Hint

runs away

attacks the old innkeeper

pleads for mercy for his kinsman

joins them in laughter

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Question 8 of 10

8. In "Roger Malvin's Burial", what does Reuben leave near Roger's body to mark the place so he can find his way back? Hint

a carving on a tree

a handkerchief that had been used as a bandage

a picture of Roger's daughter, Dorcas

a coonskin hat

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which short story features Aylmer and Georgiana? Hint

The Birthmark

The Christmas Banquet

Rappaccini's Daughter

The Haunted Mind

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Question 10 of 10

10. In which short story does Hawthorne describe a woman wearing a scarlet "A" as punishment for adultery? Hint

Earth's Holocaust

The Hollow of the Three Hills

The May-pole of Merry Mount

Endicott and the Red Cross

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 14 2024 : Guest 117: 10/10
Oct 13 2024 : Guest 152: 3/10
Oct 02 2024 : Guest 110: 2/10

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which of the following is the title for Hawthorne's introduction to his novel "The Scarlet Letter"?

Answer: The Custom House

One reason why Hawthorne added "The Custom House" as an introduction to his novel was because he feared that the novel itself would not be enough to hold the attention of readers.

2. In "Young Goodman Brown", who is the first character to address the old traveler as "the Devil"?

Answer: Goody Cloyse

This often-anthologized short story features some classic allegorical elements, such as characters who represent values. Brown's wife, for instance, is named Faith.

3. In "The Ambitious Guest", where does the young man say he is going after he settles for the evening at the lodge?

Answer: Burlington, Vermont

"The Ambitious Guest" is a tale in which the evil or adversary is the power of natural forces.

4. What is the minister's name in "The Minister's Black Veil"?

Answer: Hooper

Parson Hooper is the main character of mystery in the story. The other choices are names from other Hawthorne short works.

5. What book did Hawthorne dedicate to his friend, former President Franklin Pierce?

Answer: Our Old Home

Hawthorne was a loyal friend to Pierce, even after Pierce had become very unpopular due to his political weaknesses. Hawthorne gave a copy of "Our Old Home" to Emerson to add to his personal library, and as the story goes, Emerson refused to add it to his collection until he tore out the dedication page.

6. In "Ethan Brand", what is left in Bartram's kiln at the end of the story?

Answer: skeleton with a heart of lime

"Ethan Brand" was an 1850 publication, and many literary critics believe that the character was an inspiration for Melville's Ahab.

7. In "My Kinsman, Major Molineux", after Robin's kinsman passes through town in disgrace, the townspeople laugh. How does Robin react?

Answer: joins them in laughter

This 1832 short story has been studied from many angles, including analysis from the historical and psychological perspectives.

8. In "Roger Malvin's Burial", what does Reuben leave near Roger's body to mark the place so he can find his way back?

Answer: a handkerchief that had been used as a bandage

While "Roger Malvin's Burial" is easily analyzed from a historical perspective, it also creates a world in which a lie leads to further moral confusion and finally to retribution.

9. Which short story features Aylmer and Georgiana?

Answer: The Birthmark

"The Birthmark" was an 1843 publication. It illustrates how tragedy can result from mankind's attempt to assume God-like power.

10. In which short story does Hawthorne describe a woman wearing a scarlet "A" as punishment for adultery?

Answer: Endicott and the Red Cross

As Endicott marches into Salem with his band of men, he notices several people being punished for deeds and beliefs deemed incorrect. One of those being punished is a woman wearing a scarlet "A", which of course brings to mind Hester in Hawthorne's novel The Scarlet Letter. "Endicott and the Red Cross" was published in 1838; "The Scarlet Letter" had an 1850 publication date.

Source: Author fja0485

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