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Victorian "This or That?"

Many GR groups have this game, but I'm going to suggest that we play it with more quality (because that's what we are, haha!) by adding on a "qualify your answer with at least one reason" requirement. Let's try to avoid even further discussion in order to keep the game moving, although some questions could potentially become a source of future "Quirky Questions" for propositions which look as if they could be developed further.

For those unfamiliar with "This or That?", the game works in the following way:

You need to respond to the previous poster's "would you prefer....?"-type question, give your reason why you chose that option and then add an "a or b" question of your own.

That's is, really, though I propose we try and stick to loosely Victorian themes.

For example (and these are only examples, so the questions themselves could be used again):

-Poster 1: Dickens or Collins?

- Poster 2: Collins, because his female characters are more rounded, stronger and believable.

Factory work or domestic work?

Poster 3: Domestic work because... Etc.

I'll set the ball rolling with the question:

The best of times, or the worst of times? (Remember, we're talking about the Victorian period).

Looking forward to seeing how poster 2 replies!

From a modern standpoint ' The best of times' It gave us Dickens, Trollope, Eliot, Gaskell etc.
Rochester or Heathcliff

Heathcliff because he's a strong character

Trollope or Gaskill

Bharathi wrote: "From a modern standpoint ' The best of times' It gave us Dickens, Trollope, Eliot, Gaskell etc.
Rochester or Heathcliff"

Rochester. I'd rather lead a misogynist than be led by one ;-)

Edit: due to cross posting, I delete my question and defer to Deb's above.

Deborah wrote: "Heathcliff because he's a strong character

Trollope or Gaskill"

Trollope because of his extended series which enable one really to plunge deeply into the Victorian world.

Preferred career choice: law or church?

Pip wrote: "Bharathi wrote: "From a modern standpoint ' The best of times' It gave us Dickens, Trollope, Eliot, Gaskell etc.
Rochester or Heathcliff"

Rochester. I'd rather lead a misogynist than be led by on..."

I love that you posted too.


So Everyman's question doesn't get lost....

Preferred career choice: law or church?

Law, but only if it means I could work at the Circumlocution Office (job for life, and all that). If it's more sorting out Jarndyce vs Jarndyce, I'd probably prefer the Church.

Crinoline or bustle?

Pip wrote: "Law, but only if it means I could work at the Circumlocution Office (job for life, and all that). If it's more sorting out Jarndyce vs Jarndyce, I'd probably prefer the Church.

Crinoline or bustle?"

Crinoline because it makes such an interesting sound when you, and my very own natural bustle needs no further padding.

Fiction or nonfiction

Fiction, because it was a remarkable time in the history of the novel.

North or south?

North -- because it gives us many of the settings of Hardy, the Brontes, and Gaskell.

P.S. It's clear I don't know my geography: "The English author Thomas Hardy set all of his major novels in the south and southwest of England. He named the area 'Wessex' after the medieval Anglo-Saxon kingdom that existed in this part of that country prior to the Norman Conquest ."

River or Land?

River - because it provides the necessities of life - water and food.

Horseback or Carriage?

Kirsten wrote: "River - because it provides the necessities of life - water and food.

Horseback or Carriage?"

Horseback because it's less nauseating.

Reticule or pockets

Deborah wrote: "Kirsten wrote: "River - because it provides the necessities of life - water and food.

Horseback or Carriage?"

Horseback because it's less nauseating.

Reticule or pockets"

Reticule -- because it reminds me of Anna Karenina's handbag, even though Russian of the period is not quite considered Victorian. Nabokov wrote of its expanding or collapsing, depending on the needs of the scene! (Also reminds me of the purse of the Princess, wife of Andre, in the opening scenes of the salon in War and Peace.)

Parliament or Wessex?

Do you mean literally Parliament (as in houses of) and literally Wessex (as in land of the West Saxons)? Or am I missing a clever allusion that I'm not clever or well-read enough to spot?!!

Pip wrote: "Do you mean literally Parliament (as in houses of) and literally Wessex (as in land of the West Saxons)? Or am I missing a clever allusion that I'm not clever or well-read enough to spot?!!"

Am I not understanding how to set up the game? I thought I was simply suggesting select one of two locations (Parliament in London, yes, Houses of) or another (Wessex, fictional name of the location of many of Hardy's stories)? Either should be able relate to Victorian stories. Sort of like "Land or River", I thought... What did I miss?

No stress, Lily!! You have understood the game, though I think there should probably be a relationship of some sort between the two options. Either that or maybe an implicit "would you rather live/work/have/go out with" question fronting them. My fault for not explaining clearly enough - the game is so ubiquitous on GR that I assumed most people would be familiar with it.

As for your options, I genuinely thought that they might be characters from a novel I hadn't read ;-)

So..... I'm going to take your question as "Would you rather spend a week at parliament or in Wessex" and my answer is...

Parliament. I know Wessex fairly well already and I think it would be interesting to watch a few commons' debates from the nineteenth century!


Roses or violets?

Violets - they remind me of my great grandmother

Pianoforte or harpsichord

Pip wrote: "No stress, Lily!! You have understood the game, though I think there should probably be a relationship of some sort between the two options. Either that or maybe an implicit "would you rather live/..."

I have been looking for answers that relate to Victorian (literature) themes -- both because of this board and because of your direction:

"That's is, really, though I propose we try and stick to loosely Victorian themes.'

So, I was sort setting up for an answer like Trollope's MP's or Hardy's Thomasin Yeobright. But I guess I was too obtuse.

Deborah wrote: "Violets - they remind me of my great grandmother

Pianoforte or harpsichord"

Pianoforte for Jane Fairfax in Emma -- yes, definitely pre-Victorian. Sorry, I think. ;-(

Where would you rather meet someone or something: Highgate or Transylvania? (Or Venice or Bly)?

Highgate, to the cemetery, for a chat with the shades of Karl Marx and Douglas Adams.

Polar expedition or jungle exploration?

Polar expedition - I don't do well in heat and am afraid of snakes so jungle is out for me


Breakfast or tea

Tea -- "They're not good days, you know," he had said to Fanny Assingham after declaring himself grateful for finding her, and then, with his cup of tea, putting her in possession of the latest news..."

James, Henry. The Golden Bowl.

His books seem full of references to "tea." It is as if "tea" is what makes an American think of Britain. (Yes, I'm being cynical towards dear HJ, with all his actually complex ruminations on the "Old World" versus the "New." ;-o)

Parasol or walking stick?

Parasol. I can just imagine walking with it along the promenade just like Magdalen Vanstone in No name.
Archdeacon Grantly, or Rev. Crawley.

Archdeacon Grantley, because he was all bluster with a soft heart and good intentions.

Becky Sharpe or Lizzie Eustace?

Becky Sharp (Rebecca) - Nearly everything she does is with the intention of securing a stable position for herself, or herself & her husband after she & Rawdon are married.

The Uninhabited House or The Canterville Ghost ?

The Canterville Ghost - though it was a tough choice, but, I mean, Wilde. (Though I've not read it and this is just based on each story's summary,) but thank you! Because now I want to read both and will probably grab TUH for my kindle tonight!

Early Victorian or Late Victorian

I also now need to add a thank you to Ninney - currently finishing up The Uninhabited House - LOVING it so far!

Ok! Carry on! :)

Lauren wrote: "The Canterville Ghost - though it was a tough choice, but, I mean, Wilde. (Though I've not read it and this is just based on each story's summary,) but thank you! Because now I want to read both an..."
Early Victorian or Late Victorian?
Can I answer BOTH?
I love the early Victorian era as an under-represented time between Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. I read a delightful book set in this time, talking about the coronation of Victoria.
But I also love the middle and late periods, certainly to live in. I find the mix of carriages and trains fascinating. The use of "modern" inventions mixed with the old. Dickens, Wilde, Braddon, Gaskell. Bring them all too me!
Quill or steel-tip pen?

If we’re talking about steel tipped as in liquid ink or fountain pens, I would choose steel tipped. More sturdy, and you don’t have to worry about replacing them. I haven’t really written with either, although I’d like to.

Sherlock Holmes or Professor Abraham Van Helsing (from Dracula)

Holmes
because I don't remember much about Van Helsing

velvet or satin

Velvet because of the wonderful smoothness to the touch.

Earl Grey or English Breakfast Tea?

Earl Grey tea as I think it would have been served in hotels in Victorian times.

Bradshaws or ABC (train timetables from the Victorian era)

Bradshaws because it seems to have been more popular and easy to obtain.

The V&A as it houses such a variety of exhibitions, some of which are delightfully frivolous eg fashion.

Emily Bronte or Anne Bronte?

Emily even though I’m not a Heathcliff fan, because I relate to Cathy’s passion

Emily Bronte because I'm obsessed with Wuthering Heights :-)

Middlemarch or Mill on the Floss?

Middlemarch, because I absolutely loved it and haven't read The Mill on the floss (yet).

Painting or embroidery ?

Painting because I don’t have to use an iron to make it presentable.

Plantagenet Palliser or Phineas Finn?

Phineas Finn because he has lots of personality-and is handsome!

Mince tarts or Christmas pudding?

Mince tarts as they can be frozen and heated quickly to make me look like a good cook.

Toy soldiers or a rocking horse?

Toy soldiers.
Although they take a lot of space to setup battles, they appear to entertain for longer. Certainly even adults still play with them.

Fireplace or paraffin heater?

Fireplace because it creates a cozy atmosphere.

Mulled wine or rum punch?

Mulled wine! - because I was in Austria last year for the Christmas markets and had it for the first time. it was delicious and I would love more!



The Heath (country living) or London (city life)

London, at least in this era. I'm not sure about the Victorian era when perhaps the fresh air of the countryside might be preferable.

Bicycle or horse drawn carriage?

Bicycle - Having ‘travelled� in a mock up of an 18th century mail coach at a local transport museum, I was amazed at how uncomfortable it was, being jolted so much I was worried about putting my back out. Also a bicycle can’t be startled and bolt away like horses.

David Copperfield or Nicholas Nickleby (the novels not the characters)

Nicholas Nickleby! I know the main character is a bit of a cypher, but I just love the chapters featuring the Crummles theater troupe, the romantic tribulations of the Mantalini family, and of course the evil Wackford Squeers. It's Dickens still in the energetic picaresque mode of Pickwick, before he became convinced it was a greater accomplishment to make his audiences weep, than it was to make them laugh.

NOW: to replenish the family fortunes, you must marry. Who's your groom... Dorian Gray or Dr. Jekyll? Or if you want a bride, Madame Defarge...or Mrs. Proudley?

Dorian Gray, because he seems slightly less likely to murder me, and is also probably wealthier than Dr. Jekyll (gotta replenish those fortunes!).

Here's a music one:
Franz Liszt or Felix Mendelssohn?

Franz Liszt because his music has more energy-and he's handsome!

Where would go for a holiday in Europe?

Paris or Rome?