The Ballad of Reading Gaol MCQs and Summary

Summary:

“The Ballad of Reading Gaol” is a long narrative poem by Oscar Wilde, published in 1898 under the pseudonym C.3.3 (his prison cell number). The poem reflects Wilde’s experiences during his two-year imprisonment in Reading Gaol for homosexual offenses under Victorian laws.

The poem revolves around the execution of a fellow prisoner, a man who murdered his wife. Wilde uses this tragic event to explore themes of justice, morality, human suffering, and redemption. He argues that all men kill the things they love, whether through betrayal, neglect, or violence. The poem also criticizes the harsh and inhumane prison system, emphasizing the suffering of prisoners who are deprived of their dignity and hope.

The poem is deeply emotional, filled with symbolism and powerful imagery, showing the psychological impact of imprisonment. It ultimately conveys a universal message about guilt, punishment, and the fragility of human life.

MCQs:

1. Who wrote The Ballad of Reading Gaol?
   A) Rudyard Kipling
   B) Oscar Wilde
   C) Alfred Tennyson
   D) Robert Browning
   Answer: B) Oscar Wilde
2. When was The Ballad of Reading Gaol published?
   A) 1895
   B) 1897
   C) 1898
   D) 1900
   Answer: C) 1898
3. Under what name was the poem originally published?
   A) Oscar Wilde
   B) C.3.3
   C) An Anonymous Poet
   D) O.W.
   Answer: B) C.3.3

   

4. What is the primary theme of the poem?
   A) Love and romance
   B) Justice and morality
   C) The glory of war
   D) The beauty of nature
   Answer: B) Justice and morality
5. What real-life event inspired Wilde to write the poem?
   A) The death of his lover
   B) His experience in prison and witnessing an execution
   C) His exile to France
   D) His legal victory over critics
   Answer: B) His experience in prison and witnessing an execution
6. What crime did the man executed in the poem commit?
   A) Robbery
   B) Treason
   C) Murdering his wife
   D) Fraud
   Answer: C) Murdering his wife
7. Which of the following is a famous line from the poem?
   A) “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”
   B) “Each man kills the thing he loves.”
   C) “Beauty is truth, truth beauty.”
   D) “Half a league, half a league onward.”
   Answer: B) “Each man kills the thing he loves.”
8. How does the poem portray prison life?
   A) As a place of reform and rehabilitation
   B) As a cruel and dehumanizing experience
   C) As a peaceful retreat for sinners
   D) As a place of great wisdom and learning
   Answer: B) As a cruel and dehumanizing experience
9. What does Wilde criticize in the poem?
   A) The monarchy
   B) The corruption of politicians
   C) The brutality of the prison system
   D) The power of the church
   Answer: C) The brutality of the prison system
10. What tone does the poem primarily convey?
    A) Joyful and celebratory
    B) Dark and melancholic
    C) Comedic and lighthearted
    D) Hopeful and uplifting
    Answer: B) Dark and melancholic