Literary History
What war happened during the Puritan Age (1625-1660)?
The Civil War
Who became king after the Restoration in 1660?
Charles II
Who kills Gatsby, and why?
George Wilson kills Gatsby because he believes Gatsby was responsible for Myrtle's death.
"To be or not to be, that is the question"
William Shakespeare
Who has a beautiful British accent?
Sofia :)
What is my favourite sport?
Volleyball
Name an author and his work for the Puritan Age.
John Milton, Paradise Lost
Because writers admired the order, balance, and classical ideals of ancient Rome under Emperor Augustus.
Why does Gwendolen want to marry Jack?
Because she believes his name is Ernest, which she finds especially attractive and trustworthy.
"Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heaven."
John Milton
Who cried during one of my tests?
Nobody, they were never too hard ;)
How many siblings do I have?
A sister and a brother
The Restoration and the Reformation (1660–1714) were marked by which event and why was it called that way?
The Glorious Revolution and because no blood was spilled!
What did the Romantics oppose to and why?
The Enlightenment, because they believed reason alone was insufficient inspiration and emphasised emotion, imagination, nature, and individual experience.
What is the full name of Hyde's creator?
"The paths of glory lead but to the grave."
Thomas Gray (graveyard poet)
Who passed the hardest English level test with ease?
Noelia :)
What am I addicted to?
Mate and Cola Zero
During the Augustan Age (1714–1760), England was reigned by whom?
The Hanoverians
How did the Industrial Revolution influence Victorian society?
It caused rapid urbanization, technological progress, and economic growth, but also created poverty, social inequality, and poor working conditions.
The Green Light (hope, illusion, delusion), The Eyes (consumerism, God), the weather (parallel to the emotions of the characters) etc.
"For oft, when on my couch I lie. In vacant or in pensive mood,. They flash upon my inward eye, and my heart with pleasure fills, and dances with the..."
William Wordsworth
Who is a great drawer (that I know of)?
Ryo, Delia, Rachele, Mary
Name 4 special lessons that I have done with you!
Halloween Special, St. Nicolaus Day Special, Christmas Special, Valentine's Day Special, Easter Special
Name two authors of the Augustan Age
What conflict characterized the Victorian Age after Darwin published On the Origin of Species (1859)?
The conflict between religious faith and scientific discoveries, especially the theory of evolution.
What is "Bunburying"?
Inventing fictional people or excuses to avoid social obligations and escape to do what one wants.
John Keats in "Ode to a Grecian Urn"
Who is the most enthusiastic student in this room? (always cheering when I announce the program)
Bianca :)
When is my birthday?
13 July (1997)
The Age of Transition (1760–1798) was marked by which events?
The Three Great Revolutions (agricultural, social, industrial)
How did the Restoration differ from the Puritan Age?
The Restoration brought back the monarchy, reopened theatres, and encouraged a more secular, pleasure-loving society after the strict moral rules of the Puritan period.
Who is Mr Utterson, and what role does he play in the story?
He is a lawyer and friend of Dr Jekyll who investigates the mystery surrounding Hyde.
"Man is not truly one, but truly two."
Robert Lewis Stevenson
Who has the largest (very beautiful) writing in this class?
Emma Drago :)
Name 3 things I say in (almost) every lesson.
"focus please", "guys, it's too loud", "no throwing", "that's it for today", "see you soon"
Name seven writers of the Romantic Age (1798–1837).
Wordsworth, Coleridge, Keats, Byron, Blake, Shelley, Austen
How did the expansion of the British Empire affect Victorian attitudes?
It encouraged pride in Britain's power and sense of mission, but it also reinforced ideas of social hierarchy, social classes, and raised questions about colonialism and cultural superiority.
What theme is Stevenson exploring through the relationship between Jekyll and Hyde?
The dual nature of human beings—the conflict between good and evil within every person.
"So we beat on, boats against the current..."
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Who gifted Miss Schrago incredibly iconic socks?
Ilaria :)
Where am I from (originally)?
Fribourg / Freiburg
The Victorians to the Moderns (1837–1910) were marked by which contrasts and struggles?
Why is Modernism often considered a response to World War I?
The war shattered traditional beliefs in progress, reason, and stability, leading writers to experiment with new forms and explore uncertainty, fragmentation, and alienation.
What does Jack discover at the end of the play by Oscar Wilde?
He learns that he is Lady Bracknell's nephew, Algernon's older brother, and that his real name is actually Ernest.
"Please, sir, I want some more."
Charles Dickens in Oliver Twist
Who said English is their favourite subject of all times?
Nicolò :)
What was a moment with this class I was scared to get fired for?
The Christmas Brunch in 3rd year :)
Name two authors and their works for The Age of Modernism (1910-1949)?
Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
Animal Farm by George Orwell
What was the Regency Era, and why did it begin?
The Regency Era (1811–1820) began because King George III was declared unfit to rule due to severe mental illness. As a result, his son, ruled as Prince Regent until George III's death in 1820, when he became King George IV.
What do Gatsby, Jack/Earnest, and Dr Jekyll have in common?
All three create or live through false identities in an attempt to achieve their desires or escape reality.
"I ought to be thy Adam; but I am rather the fallen angel."
Mary Shelley
Leonardo
Why am I leaving this school?
Because I can work 100% in Küsnacht (and here, only 55% max)
(and you are leaving, so...)
Name 5 authors that wrote about flowers.
Wordsworth in Daffodils, Fitzgerald in Gatsby (main characters' names "Daisy" and "Myrtle" as well as Daisy and Gatsby's first meeting), Plath in "I am Vertical", Woolf in Mrs Dalloway ("Out for Flowers"), Cope "Flowers", Duffy "Empty Nest" (flower dress)
How does the historical development from the Puritan Age to Modernism reflect a change in the view of the individual?
The Puritan Age emphasized religious duty and obedience; the Enlightenment valued reason; Romanticism celebrated individual emotion and imagination; Victorian literature explored social responsibility and moral conflict; Modernism focused on the fragmented, isolated individual struggling to find meaning in a rapidly changing world.
In all three works we read this semester, why do the protagonists fail to fully control the identities they create?
Because the false identity eventually takes on a life of its own. Gatsby cannot make Daisy match his dream, Jack's deception is exposed, and Hyde becomes stronger than Jekyll. The authors suggest that reality ultimately resists attempts to escape or rewrite it.
"You have bewitched me, body and soul."
Jane Austen
Who will I miss the most?
All of you, of course :)
What am I wishing right now?
That you all easily pass the maturità!
Best of luck to you all!!! (You got this!) :)