Dickensians! discussion

After our first group read, some of us don't want to leave behind the characters we've grown to love - or hate. So here's a fun quiz, to remind us of some great moments in the book, divided into "Who, What and Where?"

Come and tell us how you got on ... and maybe set us a couple more questions?

And if you didn't join in this read, because you've read David Copperfield before, you might enjoy it too!

WHO:

1. Who said "Janet! Donkeys!"?

2. Who had too many "pecuniary obligations?"

3. Who was a "lone, lorn creatur'" that everything went contrary with?

4. Who walked from London to Dover?

5. Who was always "'umble"?

6. Who had a scar on her lip?

7. Which two people believed in "firmness"?

8. Who wanted to be a lady?

9. Who couldn't stop thinking about King Charles I?

10. Who drew skeletons on everything?


ANSWERS: (view spoiler)[

1. Betsey Trotwood
2. Wilkins Micawber
3. Mrs Gummidge
4. David Copperfield
5. Uriah Heep
6. Rosa Dartle
7. Edward Murdstone and his sister Jane
8. Emily Peggotty
9. Mr Dick (Richard Babley)
10. Thomas Traddles (hide spoiler)]

WHAT?

1. What was Dan Peggotty's house made from?

2. What was the name of the headmaster at "Salem House"?

3. What was written on the placard hung around David's neck?

4. What was Dr. Strong writing?

5. What did "Barkis is willin'!' mean?

6. What instrument did Mr Mell play?

7. What was Agnes's secret?

8. What was Miss Mowcher's profession?

9. What was Mrs Markelham's nickname?

10. What sort of animal was Jip?

ANSWERS: (view spoiler)[

1. A boat
2. Mr Creakle
3. "Take Care of him. He Bites!"
4. A dictionary
5. Mr Barkis was proposing marriage to Peggotty
6. A flute
7. She was in love with David
8. A hairdresser and manicurist
9. The "Old Soldier"
10. A dog (hide spoiler)]

WHERE?

1. Where (a name) did David go to school?

2. Where did Mr Barkis keep his money?

3. Where (a name, with birds) was David born?

4. Where (which town/city) did the Wickfields live?

5. Where did David take notes in shorthand?

6. Where was Martha drawn to, and obsessed with?

7. Where did the crocodile book end up?

8. Where (which country) did several characters emigrate to, at the end of the book?

9. Where did Littimer tell his story?

10. Where (what type of place) was David sent for his first job?

ANSWERS: (view spoiler)[

1. Salem House
2. Under his bed
3. Blunderstone Rookery
4. Canterbury
5. In Parliament
6. The River Thames
7. In Peggotty's house
8. Australia
9. In Mrs Steerforth's garden
10. A bottle-factory (or wine warehouse) (hide spoiler)]

All set for you to have a go :) And ask some more questions?

Who had jewellery made of steel fetters and rivets? Who had cheeks like "hard red apples" and skin like a nutmeg grater? Who owned the law firm where David worked? The possibilities are endless!

All the time you must have put into this, Jean!

I didn’t read DC with you all because I’m reading another Dickens with a different group and DC is one I’ve read a few times....until this quiz told me I haven’t remembered all I thought I did haha.

Lots of fun, thank you Jean! I enjoyed trying this.

I'm glad it's fun Annie and Judy! I tried not to put in answers that would be enormous spoilers, just in case it spoils a read for anyone. That's what I love about re-reading Charles Dickens, the fact that I forget things :)

LOL Yesterday I had a choice, to sort out my bank account, pack a suitcase, or - a sudden thought - set a fun quiz! You see what won out ;)

I did a great job with the characters, almost as good with the what, but the where was my weakest.
It was fun!

That was fun, Jean. You stumped me on the crocodile book.

Isn't it strange - I can think of lots of "who" questions, but the "where" is tricky to make interesting and specific.

Ah the crocodile book - it's a bit like the (view spoiler)[multi-coloured St. Paul's cathedral and bit of wax candle (hide spoiler)] - mentioned several times in the book and near the end - so I reckoned it was memorable enough :) But it's the sort of detail that might gets lost in a dramatisation.

I got all of the people right, but did not do as well with the where and what.

I was expecting to get 100% since I just finished the book and it should be clear on my mind. Nope, Mr. Mell's instrument and that darned crocodile book got me.

Katy - It's easier to think of questions for people too! I wonder if it's just that Dickens's characters are so memorable ... perhaps another author would be different.

LOL Sara - the weird details stay with me ... but I'm sure if you set one there would be details you remember which had totally escaped me!

I doubt many of the details would get by you, Jean. You are the Dickens guru! But this lets me know there are a lot of things I might pick up on the next time I read it. :)

Oh my goodness Sara, I'm hardly that! Just a big fan :)

Sara wrote: "I was expecting to get 100% since I just finished the book and it should be clear on my mind. Nope, Mr. Mell's instrument and that darned crocodile book got me."

Those two sank me too, Sara.