by Evelyn J. Mocbeichel
Quite by accident I recently watched a new PBS movie about the life of the famed Bronte sisters. I came across it as I “surfed” the channels and was fortunate to catch it at the beginning. I’ve read books or poetry by the three women, Charlotte, Emily and Anne, but was not totally familiar with their life story.
To Walk Invisible: The Bronte Sisters is a chronicle of their lives overcoming obstacles during the era they lived. The storyline includes how they dealt with caring for a vision impaired father and an alcoholic younger brother, Branwell. For a woman to be published at all during that time period was a considerable feat. After much strife in doing so, their works have become some of the greatest in the English language. Whether you’ve read Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights or watched the film versions, these hauntingly dramatic works are never forgotten, as are the women who created these masterpieces. This was a well done two hour movie and well worth trying to catch the next time it is on. Normally these programs are re-broadcast on several PBS stations.
While on the theme of great literature, think back to your school days or reading pleasure pastime and see how many answers you can guess correctly in this literary quiz below. Give yourself ten points for each correct answer. Many of the questions cover both children’s and adult literature, so for some of the questions you may really have to go way back in time and search your memory bank!
Questions:
1. What character in a Shakespearean play said, “Thus with a kiss I die”?
2. Who had a loyal companion named Sancho Panza?
3. The children’s book Matilda was written by?
4. Dr. Zhivago, the great Russian novel, was written by?
5. In what book are the characters Flopsy and Mopsy part of the story?
6. The scary story, The Murders in the Rue Morgue, was by?
7. What was the name of the ship that sailed to Treasure Island?
8. Peyton Place was written by what author?
9. What is the name of the tiny people in Gulliver’s Travels?
10. The children’s book Where the Sidewalk Ends is by?
