Most Ardently Quiz: 20 Questions on Plot, Character, and Theme

Most Ardently Quiz: 20 Questions on Plot, Character, and Theme 20 questions to test your knowledge of Gabe Cole Novoa's Most Ardently. The quiz is divided into four sections: plot and sequence, character motivation, theme and symbol, and synthesis. An answer key with brief explanations follows. Good luck! ### Plot and Sequence (Questions 1–8) 1. At the Meryton Ball, what does Darcy say about Oliver (as Elizabeth) that mortifies him? A) That he is tolerable but not handsome enough to interest him B) That he is the handsomest woman in the room C) That he dances poorly D) That he talks too much 2. How does Oliver first meet Darcy and Bingley as himself (Oliver Blake)? A) At a formal dinner at Netherfield B) At the Bartholomew Fair C) At a Molly House D) At the Meryton Ball 3. What does Oliver do after Jane becomes ill at Netherfield? A) He sends a servant with a note B) He waits for her to return home C) He walks three miles through mud to visit her D) He asks Mr. Bennet for the carriage 4. Who proposes marriage to Oliver first, and how does Oliver respond? A) Mr. Collins; Oliver refuses firmly B) Mr. Wickham; Oliver accepts C) Mr. Darcy; Oliver refuses D) Mr. Bingley; Oliver accepts 5. What does Oliver write on his list of aspirations in Chapter 10? A) To marry a wealthy gentleman B) To visit a Molly House, spend days as himself, tell his family the truth, and kiss a boy as a boy C) To move to London and become a tailor D) To learn to play cards and attend Watier's regularly 6. What does Wickham threaten to do if Oliver refuses to marry him? A) Spread a rumor that Oliver is a spy B) Tell Oliver's family that he is a boy C) Challenge Darcy to a duel D) Reveal that Oliver frequents Molly Houses 7. Where does Darcy confess his love to Oliver? A) At the Netherfield Ball B) At Pemberley C) On Westminster Bridge in the rain D) At Avery's Tavern 8. What happens at the end of the novel? A) Oliver and Darcy part ways forever B) Oliver and Darcy kiss at a coffee house, and Oliver feels euphoric being kissed as a boy C) Oliver decides to live as Elizabeth D) Darcy leaves for the Continent alone ### Character Motivation (Questions 9–13) 9. Why does Mrs. Bennet pressure Oliver to marry? A) She wants him to be happy B) She fears he will be a burden C) She believes marriage is the only path to security and status for her children D) She wants to spite Mr. Bennet 10. Why does Oliver refuse Mr. Collins's proposal? A) He is already engaged to Darcy B) He does not want to be anyone's wife C) He dislikes Mr. Collins's personality D) He wants to marry for money 11. Why does Darcy initially propose to Oliver? A) He is in love with Oliver and cannot live without him B) He faces pressure from Lady Catherine to wed and believes Oliver faces similar family pressure C) He wants to spite Wickham D) He is jealous of Bingley's engagement 12. Why does Charlotte accept Mr. Collins's proposal? A) She loves him deeply B) She wants to live near Oliver C) She needs financial security and cannot marry Lu D) She is forced by her parents 13. Why does Oliver decide to tell his family the truth at the end? A) He is tired of lying B) Wickham threatens to expose him, and Oliver wants to control his own story C) Darcy insists on it D) Mrs. Bennet demands it ### Theme and Symbol (Questions 14–17) 14. What does the busk (the stiffening piece in Oliver's corset) symbolize? A) Wealth and status B) The constraints of forced femininity and gender dysphoria C) Oliver's love for Darcy D) The Bennet family's social standing 15. What does the Molly House represent in the novel? A) A place of danger and scandal B) A sanctuary where queer people can be themselves C) A gambling den D) A bookstore 16. What does Oliver's list of aspirations represent? A) His desire to escape his family B) His hope for an authentic life as a boy C) His plan to marry Darcy D) His wish to become a gentleman 17. What does the final kiss in the epilogue symbolize? A) A farewell B) Oliver's full acceptance of himself and his love C) A secret affair D) A moment of weakness ### Synthesis (Questions 18–20) 18. How does Most Ardently remix Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice? A) It keeps the original plot but changes the setting B) It retells the story from a transmasculine perspective, centering Oliver's gender identity and queer love C) It removes all romance D) It focuses only on the Bingley-Jane relationship 19. What is the significance of Mr. Bennet's decision to update his will so Oliver inherits Longbourn? A) It shows that inheritance laws are fair B) It affirms Oliver's identity as his son and challenges the cis-heteronormative system C) It is a minor plot point with no thematic weight D) It forces Mrs. Bennet to accept Oliver 20. In the Author's Note, Novoa writes that the narrative never misgenders Oliver. Why is this important? A) It shows that the author respects Oliver's identity even when other characters do not B) It is a stylistic choice with no meaning C) It makes the book less realistic D) It confuses the reader ### Answer Key 1. A — Darcy says Oliver is “tolerable but not handsome enough to interest him,” which mortifies Oliver and sets up the central conflict. 2. B — Oliver meets Darcy and Bingley at the Bartholomew Fair, where he introduces himself as Oliver Blake. 3. C — Oliver walks three miles through mud to visit Jane at Netherfield, showing his devotion and the physical discomfort of his forced femininity. 4. A — Mr. Collins proposes first, and Oliver refuses firmly, stating he will never marry him. 5. B — Oliver's list includes visiting a Molly House, spending days as himself, telling his family the truth, and kissing a boy as a boy. 6. B — Wickham threatens to expose Oliver's identity as Elizabeth to his family if he refuses to marry him. 7. C — Darcy confesses his love on Westminster Bridge in the rain, saying he loves Oliver “most ardently.” 8. B — In the epilogue, Oliver and Darcy kiss at a coffee house, and Oliver feels euphoric being kissed as a boy. 9. C — Mrs. Bennet believes marriage is the only path to security and status, so she pressures Oliver to marry. 10. B — Oliver refuses because he does not want to be anyone's wife; he wants to live as a boy. 11. B — Darcy proposes partly because of pressure from Lady Catherine and his belief that Oliver faces similar family pressure. 12. C — Charlotte accepts for financial security, explaining she cannot marry Lu and must settle for a practical match. 13. B — Wickham's threat pushes Oliver to tell his family the truth himself, so he can control his own story. 14. B — The busk symbolizes the constraints of forced femininity and Oliver's gender dysphoria. 15. B — The Molly House is a sanctuary where queer people can be themselves, away from societal judgment. 16. B — The list represents Oliver's hope for an authentic life as a boy, including love and self-disclosure. 17. B — The final kiss symbolizes Oliver's full acceptance of himself and his love for Darcy. 18. B — The novel retells Pride and Prejudice from a transmasculine perspective, centering Oliver's gender identity and queer love. 19. B — Mr. Bennet's decision affirms Oliver's identity as his son and challenges the cis-heteronormative system of inheritance. 20. A — The narrative's respect for Oliver's identity contrasts with the misgendering he faces from other characters, reinforcing the author's empathy. --- For more analysis, see the book overview, questions and answers, or the ending explained.