Challenge 1131
Four for Good Luck
In Martin Westlake’s Source of Inspiration: What is the narrative function of the character Alruna? What are the functions of her various appearances in the story?
In D. C. Martin’s When the Dream Ends: How was Liam made to believe he did not have a brother?
In Kevin McClung’s Ewnder the Dragon and Sir Yowann: Is Ewnder male or female? Why does it not seem to matter?
Chapel Oak O’Connor’s The Sight of Ordinary Things: If David’s description of his home’s underground life is taken literally, would such life actually be possible?
In Sterling Warner’s San Francisco Shelia: Does the name "Shelia" have a particular meaning in colloquial speech anywhere in the world?
In Brenda Mox’s Unasked Questions: Why might “she” not be named? In a complementary poem, could the genders be reversed?
In Wade R. DeYoung’s Facets of the Tongue:
- Where was Gaelic spoken? Where did it come from? What languages did it replace?
- Why did early medieval Latin not become the common language south of Hadrian’s Wall?
- What was the language of the legendary king who supposedly thwarted the spread of Anglo-Saxon into western Britain? What does modern archeology reveal about the Anglo-Saxons: were they primarily warriors or settlers?
- What language or languages do the English pronouns “they, their, theirs, them” come from?
In Sabrina Ramet’s The Day Before Stiklestad: What is the historical significance of the Battle of Stiklestad? Are the characters other than King Olav chosen for historical accuracy or for some other reason?
In Alison McBain’s Toddler Times, 1131:
- Since the three girls are all descended from four various nationalities, what generation of ancestors is their mother referring to? If the USA revokes birthright citizenship, to what country or countries will the family be deported to?
- What is the significance of the three-leafed shamrock, as attributed to St. Patrick? Why might the four-leafed kind be considered a talisman of good fortune?
