The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson

Multiple Choice and Long Answer questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, unit exam, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. Which motif is most clearly supported by the Driscoll family’s names, Roxy’s rationalization about why it is acceptable to switch the babies, and the fascination the townspeople feel for Angelo and Luigi?

A) Respect for classical education

B) Admiration for sociopathic personalities

C) The fetishization of Europe

D) An obsession with false dichotomies

2. Whom does the narrative seem to point to as being most responsible for the way that Tom turns out?

A) Percy Driscoll

B) Judge Driscoll

C) Roxy

D) Colonel Essex

3. Which character is most able to stand up to Tom’s bullying?

A) Angelo

B) Luigi

C) Chambers

D) Wilson

4. For most of the novel, what is the best characterization of Judge Driscoll’s attitude toward Tom?

A) He neglects Tom and ignores his problems because Tom is only his nephew.

B) He creates unrealistic standards and is harshly critical of Tom.

C) He goes to great lengths to guide Tom and keep him out of trouble.

D) He vacillates between angry disappointment and willful ignorance.

5. Which is the best characterization of David Wilson?

A) He is intelligent, honest, and slightly naive.

B) He is clever, genial, and slightly manipulative.

C) He is brilliant, eccentric, and slightly misanthropic.

D) He is curious, open-minded, and slightly reckless.