By Nancy Martin Young
July sizzled with excitement as 26 eager trivia mavens Zoomed in to test their knowledge of Pride and Prejudice. The event served as preparation for the upcoming AGM, as well as a warm-up for the next book club selection.
Undaunted by the challenges of new technology, the July Janeites triumphed over Slido, which might sound like the name of an evil robot in an old Flash Gordon episode, but is in fact a nifty Q&A polling platform. Through Slido, intrepid co-regional coordinator Sara Tavela offered up 50 multiple choice questions that might have baffled Jane herself.
There were real stumpers: What was the name of the man that Lydia says she and Kitty “dressed in woman’s clothes on purpose to pass for a lady”? In what town was the Bell, where Lady Catherine suggests mentioning her name when Elizabeth’s coach changes horses? How long did Mr. Bingley deliberate before settling on Netherfield?
Can you, dear reader, recall Mr. Bingley’s annual income and the source of the Bingley fortunes? The name of the Bennet family’s housekeeper? The length of Mr. Darcy’s letter to Elizabeth? If you can, you are in good company, because most of the attendees could also answer correctly.
Some questions required calculation, such as Kitty’s age, the number of marriage proposals Elizabeth received, and the distance from Longbourn to Meryton.
Another numbers question yielded a startling answer. How many times does Elizabeth suffer through dining at Rosings? The gasps were audible at the answer: 9.
The players unanimously answered five questions correctly, three of which involved the Bingleys: Jane’s destination on horseback being Netherfield, Miss Bingley’s given name of Caroline, and Miss Bingley as the woman with a penchant for taking a turn about the room. All likewise knew that after Elizabeth rebuffed Mr. Collins, he proposed to Charlotte Lucas.
Thankfully, all members knew which character declared, “My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.” Any members who do not know the answer are indeed in danger of having their Jane Austen Society memberships revoked.
The top scorer in the trivia contest was the erudite Mary Wilson, closely followed by Sue Scott, Virginia Claire, Vikki, and Betty Parker Ellis. Congratulations also went to post-meeting participants who all tied: Judy, Julie, and Anvita. Among the prizes awarded were a Penguin Books Pride and Prejudice mug, humorous Pride and Prejudice themed mugs, and specialty editions of Emma and Mansfield Park from Nelson Editions from the U.K.—60 years old and in pristine condition.
Since “a person may be proud without being vain,” these winners may rightfully sport their laurels.
Next Up
Next month is our Virtual Book Club, when we’re reading an Austen selection. We’re reading Pride and Prejudice as part of our continued preparations for the AGM, and we hope to see you there for our discussion of this much-loved novel!