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robmm
09-19-2005, 09:44 AM
PLEASE PLEASE can anyone put me out of my misery and answer the following literary quiz question:

-Who writes an unsatisfactory thank-you letter for a platinum and gold ring?

Thanks
Dung Beetle
09-19-2005, 10:26 AM
PLEASE PLEASE can anyone put me out of my misery and answer the following literary quiz question:

-Who writes an unsatisfactory thank-you letter for a platinum and gold ring?

Thanks
Possibly Rhett Butler? Melanie and Scarlett toss their wedding rings into a basket as a contribution to the "glorious cause" and Rhett returns Melanie's ring with a lovely letter of thanks. The letter is unsatisfactory (to Scarlett) because her ring is not returned.
(Although it does seem to me that both rings were gold...)
ivylass
09-19-2005, 01:43 PM
Nope, that's not it. Scarlett never wrote him a thank you note.
KarlGauss
09-19-2005, 01:52 PM
It's not Frodo, is it?
robmm
09-20-2005, 02:54 AM
No I doubt very much it's from Lord of the Rings
Carm6773
09-20-2005, 05:08 AM
Possibly Rhett Butler? Melanie and Scarlett toss their wedding rings into a basket as a contribution to the "glorious cause" and Rhett returns Melanie's ring with a lovely letter of thanks. The letter is unsatisfactory (to Scarlett) because her ring is not returned.
(Although it does seem to me that both rings were gold...)
IIRC, Scarlett's ring was returned as well.
Dung Beetle
09-20-2005, 06:51 AM
IIRC, Scarlett's ring was returned as well.
Nope. I checked last night. Both rings were gold, too. So I got nothin'.
Scarlett67
09-20-2005, 08:38 AM
Nope. I checked last night. Both rings were gold, too. So I got nothin'.
It was returned in the movie, though.
Dung Beetle
09-20-2005, 08:56 AM
Oh, that. ;)
ivylass
09-20-2005, 09:10 AM
IIRC, Scarlett's ring was returned as well.

Only in the movie, not in the book. Also, in the book, Scarlett tossed her ring in the basket first, and Melanie, admiring her bravery, tossed hers in afterward. In the movie, Scarlett threw hers in after Melanie's.
Airman Doors, USAF
09-20-2005, 03:22 PM
Just as a note, this question was asked in the New York Times Literature Quiz. I did some looking and there are one of two things going on here: either nobody on the Internet knows the answer or they're holding out to make people insane. The literature boards are buzzing with people trying to figure it out and I haven't seen a correct answer yet (not that I know what the correct answer is).
robmm
09-21-2005, 02:52 AM
Well I'm sure there will be a correct answer - it's just a case of someone remembering that detail from the appropriate book.
Large Marge
09-21-2005, 02:58 AM
PLEASE PLEASE can anyone put me out of my misery and answer the following literary quiz question:

-Who writes an unsatisfactory thank-you letter for a platinum and gold ring?

Thanks


Hmm, would it have anything to do with this? (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2102-1747174,00.html)

I found the identical question there and on several other forums.
Large Marge
09-21-2005, 02:59 AM
Sorry Airman, I see you beat me to it. ;)
robmm
09-21-2005, 09:25 AM
Yes I'm doing it from the Sunday Times literary quiz - seems strange that it's been in the New York Times one as well!
jackelope
09-21-2005, 01:27 PM
It's been years since I read it, but I seem to recall something along these lines in Samuel Richardson's Pamela (the best-selling novel of the 18th century). I'm too tired right now to go looking it up, though.
Peter Morris
09-21-2005, 05:01 PM
Who writes an unsatisfactory letter for a ring?

not exactly great literature, but could the answer be a Korean metalsmith? (http://www.tvacres.com/jewelry_houlihan.htm)
robmm
09-22-2005, 04:41 AM
Has anyone read Pamela and can confirm this?
My only hesitation is I'm not sure if platinum was a prevalent metal then...
robmm
09-23-2005, 09:35 AM
Also while I'm at it...

Does anyone know of a literary character who smokes Balkan Sobranie cigarettes?
Dung Beetle
09-23-2005, 10:00 AM
Roderick Childermass, in the Johnny Dixon books of the late great John Bellairs.
robmm
09-29-2005, 03:12 PM
PLEASE PLEASE can anyone put me out of my misery and answer the following literary quiz question:

-Who writes an unsatisfactory thank-you letter for a platinum and gold ring?

Thanks


I've just thought - it may be an unsatisfactory letter because it's actually a theft and the thief leaves some sort of written boast...?

Does that ring any bells with anyone?