Movies Quiz: Miss Potter | 10 Questions

Answer: The Tale of Peter Rabbit

"The Tale of Peter Rabbit" was published in 1902, the first of twenty-three books written and illustrated by Potter. In order for the book to be published, two changes had to be made - the number of illustrations needed to be reduced by one-third and they needed to be in color.

Answer: Norman

Frederick Warne was the founder of the self-named publishing company, Frederick Warne & Co. The two older brothers Harold and Fruing ran the business after their father's death. When the youngest brother Norman wanted to join the business, Harold and Fruing agreed to publish Miss Potter's book to give him something to work on.

They expected the book to be a failure but wanted it to be a diversion for Norman. However, "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" became an instant success and Potter's books became one of the publishing company's most lucrative franchises.

Answer: Bertram

Beatrix used to make up bedtime stories to tell Bertram, showing how her love of storytelling started at a young age. When Bertram grew up, he ran off and married a wine merchant's daughter. When Beatrix wanted to marry Norman, her parents threatened to disown her, but she pointed out that Bertram had married below their social class without suffering the same consequence.

Answer: They were both happy, single women.

Millie took an immediate liking to Beatrix because she was content without a husband. All of Millie's other single friends were miserable and desperate for husbands. Since Millie and Beatrix did not feel that they had to conform to society's expectations of them to become wives and mothers, they were, in a way, early feminists.

Answer: Her father and the groundskeeper's son.

Rupert Potter, Beatrix's father, was a barrister and amateur photographer. He considered his daughter a fellow artist and complimented her drawings. However, he did not expect her to make a living from them. The groundskeeper's son enjoyed listening to Beatrix's stories and admired her drawings. He even encouraged her to send him drawings when he went off to law school.

Answer: During a Christmas party held at the Potters'

Beatrix invited Norman and Millie to her parent's Christmas party. While Millie was playing whist, Beatrix and Norman sneaked upstairs so she could give him his Christmas present. After dancing, Norman started to propose but was interrupted by Beatrix's mother. Beatrix asked for Millie's consent before accepting Norman's proposal.

Answer: The publisher died before the wedding.

Beatrix's parents were initially opposed to the match, but they decided to give their consent if they agreed to a three month engagement. Beatrix's mother hoped that Beatrix would change her mind during the three months and realize that the marriage was too impulsive. Sadly, Norman died of an unspecified illness before the three month period was up.

In real life, Norman Warne died of pernicious anemia, a vitamin B12 deficiency, weeks after he became engaged to Beatrix.

Answer: Hilltop Farm

After Norman's death, Beatrix decided that she could not live in London anymore, and she bought Hilltop Farm in England's Lake District where she used to vacation with her family. She also purchased many of the surrounding farms to save them from development. After her death, all the land was donated to the National Trust.

Answer: H.B. Potter

"H.B. Potter" stood for "Helen Beatrix Potter", Beatrix's full name. Since her mother's name was also Helen, she went by Beatrix. We saw Beatrix sign her name this way when she signed the lease for Hilltop Farm.

Answer: Solicitor

The local solicitor was William Heelis, Beatrix's childhood acquaintance and the groundskeeper's son. He sold Hilltop Farm to Beatrix and showed her many of the surrounding farms. They were married eight years later when Beatrix was forty years old. In real life, they were not married until Beatrix was forty-seven. Also, in real life, William was not Beatrix's childhood acquaintance or the groundskeeper's son.