Uncle John’s Presents Mom’s Bathtub Reader (44 page)

2. C

The shepherd takes the child, Oedipus, away, but instead of killing him, arranges for him to be raised in far-away Corinth. When Oedipus grows up, he travels to Thebes, mistakenly kills the king, and marries Jocasta. When they realize what they have done, Jocasta hangs herself and Oedipus takes the pins from her robe and uses them to poke out his eyes.

3. B

Gertrude seeks out advice from elderly windbag Polonius, a court advisor and father to Hamlet’s girlfriend, Ophelia. Polonius first suggests that Hamlet’s madness is caused by his love for Ophelia. After Hamlet tells Ophelia to get lost, that theory is quickly ruled out. Next, Polonius from behind a tapestry offers to eavesdrop on Hamlet and his mom while they discuss the prince’s weird behavior. Hearing a rustle, Hamlet stabs Polonius through the curtain because he suspects it is his murderous uncle cowering behind there. Gertrude herself doesn’t escape the play alive either. She drinks a cup of wine, poisoned by Claudius, who had intended it for Hamlet.

4. E (All of the above)

In this play, which T. S. Eliot called “the worst play written in the English language,” all of the bloody doings above (and more)
actually take place. Ultimately, Titus Andronicus hosts a feast at which Tamora is served her sons baked in a pie. For dessert, all the main participants kill one another.

Answers for
pages 128–129
.

1. E (Both B & C)

Anna runs off with Vronsky and they soon tire of each other. She has a daughter by him, then neglects her. In the end, she commits suicide by jumping in front of a train. Ironically, Karenin ends up raising her daughter.

2. E (Both A & D)

Moll returns to England where she has a number of escapades. She marries Jemy, a former highwayman, who turns out to be her favorite husband of all. Alas, the couple soon runs out of money, and he leaves her to return to his previous life as a thief. Impoverished and alone, Moll herself turns into a common thief and prostitute. Eventually, she is caught and imprisoned. She (falsely) pleads her belly and has her sentence reduced. Luckily for her, Jemy has also been imprisoned. The two reunite in jail and are eventually sent together to the United States.

3. C

Hester raises her daughter, Pearl, in a cottage bordering the woods. Pearl turns into quite a rebellious handful as she grows, but Hester never loses her dignity. She uses her sewing skills to earn money and do good works. She never betrays Pearl’s father, who we learn is the town’s minister.

4. B

Eliza flees with Harry. With Harry in her arms, she bravely crosses the Ohio River by jumping from one ice floe to another. With the help of the people of the Underground Railroad and a settlement of Quakers, she reaches Canada and is reunited
with her husband, mother, and sister-in-law. Eventually she and her family travel to Liberia to found a colony for ex-slaves.

Answers for
pages 232–234
.

1. Indira had two sons. Her eldest son, Rajiv Gandhi (1944–1991), succeeded her as prime minister. The younger son, Sanjay (1946–1980), died in an air crash.

2. Margaret Thatcher was tough enough to raise twins—a boy and a girl.

3. Wilma Mankiller brought her two daughters with her when she moved back to Oklahoma. She also has a stepson by her second marriage.

4. Condoleezza Rice has no children.

Answers for
pages 250–252
.

1. Beryl had a son who grew up with his father and rarely saw mom.

2. Jackie never had children.

3. Valentina’s daughter Elena became a doctor. She was the first child to have had both parents who had been in space.

4. Dr. Ride has no children.

Answers from
pages 272–274
.

1. Frank and Annie had no children.

2. Jane Addams never married or had children.

3. Sandra Day O’Connor has three sons.

4. Whitman has two sons and the family has traded books, Beanie Babies, and Pokemon cards on eBay.

Answers for
page 53
.

Answers for
page 281
.

H
ere at Portable Press, we feel that it is your right to always have the very best. So we’ve got a ton of books to inform, educate, and entertain you—all reading of the highest quality that can be proudly displayed in any room in the house!

Want more information on what’s new with Uncle John? Then join the Bathroom Readers’ Institute! Just send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Bathroom Readers’ Institute, P.O. Box 1117, Ashland, Oregon 97520. Or just visit our website:
www.bathroomreader.com
.
You’ll receive an attractive membership card
and
issues of the BRI email newsletter, filled with useful information on special offers on our books and other merchandise.

As always, we thank you for your support and look forward to your thoughts and comments. Enjoy!