This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Pillow fights, midnight feasts, jolly hockey sticks, fierce lacrosse games and lots of drama, while some might say the Malory Towers books by Enid Blyton are outdated, girls of all ages have delighted in the series since its publication in the 1940s. Probably the most iconic of all boarding school stories, we grew up with Darrell Rivers and friends as they competed in sports matches, crept out of their dormitories for midnight feasts by the rock pool and played tricks on the poor French mesdemoiselles.
So familiar were the characters, in fact, we almost feel as though we attended Malory Towers ourselves. But what part would we have played if this were true? There’s only one way to find out … a quiz! Answer the questions below and tally your letters to find your results. Don't forget to tell us which character you were matched with in the comments.
1. You spot gentle and timid Mary-Lou being held under the water in the swimming pool by a fellow classmate. You …
a. Intervene and march the culprit straight to the headmistress, Miss Grayling.
b. Give the stupid girl a good slap and then regret it immediately. You might have a hot temper when you see something unjust, but you’re a good egg really.
c. Resolve to play a trick on your nasty classmate at a later date. That’ll teach her.
d. You don’t see the commotion because you’ve tripped and fallen into the pool yourself.
e. You’re the one holding Mary-Lou under the water. Dun dun dun.
2. A brooch and some money has gone missing from the dormy. You …
a. After gathering firm proof, head to Miss Grayling’s office, where you explain what has been going on in a calm and sensible manner.
b. Follow one of your classmates when they go creeping around in the night and wrestle them to the ground in a fit of fury. How dare they steal from your friends!
c. Accuse the person you think has been stealing. You don’t have much proof, but you’re smart, observant and you’re pretty sure it’s her.
d. Who cares about some mislaid items? You lose stuff all the time!
e. Your money has gone missing, but you have bigger fish to fry this term. Namely, latching on to rich new girl, Daphne, and making sure she likes you more than she likes Mary-Lou.
3. The water in the rock pool is cool and delicious amidst the sweltering heat of the fourth term – perfect for a swim and simply wizard midnight feast. You …
a. As sensible as you are usually, you can’t resist breaking the rules. It’s so hot! To avoid detection, you do your best to tidy away any crumbs and ginger beer bottles left by the others.
b. You’re nervous about being caught, but throw caution to the wind for hard-boiled eggs, potted meat, sandwiches, gingerbread and cake fresh from the oven. Hurrah!
c. The midnight feast is your idea and you use your smarts and cunning to plan it without being detected by eagle-eyed house mistress, old Potty.
d. You don’t go to the feast. You’ve lost your health certificate and spend the evening rummaging around under beds looking for it. Your people will be furious if they find out.
e. Jumping lacrosse sticks – you procure all of the food for the nighttime adventure! You’re not all bad, you know.
4. Everyone is madly excited about the end of term pantomime, Cinderella, and tensions rise when the play is set to be cast. You …
a. Are absolutely delighted when Mary-Lou wins the part of Cinderella. She’s the perfect fit and it’ll do wonders for her confidence.
b. You don’t audition for a part in the play because you’re writing it. That’s much more fun.
c. Ever the class clown, your humour and mischievous nature are put to good use when you’re cast as the conjuring Demon King.
d. You’re in charge of the music for the play and excel because it’s something you’re jolly passionate about actually.
e. You drape yourself in an eiderdown and, reckless of Matron, take your hair out of its plaits and sweep around as though you’ve already got the main part.
5. Invisible, pink chalk has been produced and the second years decide to play a trick on music master, Mr. Young, by rubbing it on his piano seat. You …
a. You’re Head Girl of the form this year so don’t take part in the planning, but you can’t help but chuckle when you see Mr. Young striding about with a pink pattern on his rear.
b. The trick is so successful, you take it one step further and write ‘Oy’ in the invisible pink chalk on Mam'zelle Dupont's seat in a later class.
c. You devised the whole thing in the first place. The chalk is from your seemingly neverending stash of jokes and tricks.
d. You’re so clumsy, you brushed past the stool and now have pink chalk all over yourself!
e. You’re just grateful your classmates aren’t playing a trick on you. They’re so mean like that.
6. Which description might we have found in one of your school reports?
a. A serious, calm, quiet and very intelligent girl.
b. Bright and an all-round good egg, but can be a little hot-tempered when faced with injustice.
c. Smart, funny and very mischievous. The class clown.
d. A clumsy scatterbrain, but exceptionally talented in the arts and maths.
e. Silly, spiteful and a dreadful show off.
Your Results
Mostly A
You’re Sally Hope. Sally arrived at Malory Towers at the same time as Darrell, though seemed reluctant to become friendly with anyone at first. Once Darrell cleared up a misunderstanding between Sally and her mother, however, the pair became fast friends. Like Sally, you are serious, calm, quiet and sensible and can be a very good leader. The very definition of an Enid Blyton good egg.
Mostly B
You’re Darrell Rivers. The heroine of the Malory Towers series, we thought Darrell was simply wizard because, despite being a good person, she was also flawed and had a hot temper that caused her to fly off the handle occasionally. Like Darrell, you are a great writer, bright and sensible with a good sense of humour. Your main failing is your temper, but you only lose it because you’re fair and hate to see anyone being mistreated. You’re pretty good at apologising afterwards though.
Mostly C
You’re Alicia Johns. Good at everything she turns her hand to and beloved for her mischievous nature, Alicia comes from a family of many brothers and, as a result we’re told, has lots of tricks and practical jokes up her sleeve. Like Alicia, you’re smart, brave, talented and the class clown with an incredibly quick wit. You love playing funny pranks on teachers and your fellow classmates, but can be a little sharp-tongued at times.
Mostly D
You’re Irene. Poor Irene. While being an absolute whiz at maths and a very talented musician, she can’t seem to get other aspects of her life together. Like Irene, you’re super smart and talented, but a real clumsy scatterbrain who is forever losing things. Despite this, you are much loved by your classmates for your sweet – if not absent-minded – disposition.
Mostly E
You’re Gwendoline Lacey. Really? Dunking poor Mary-Lou n the pool? C’mon. Gwendoline got the miserable end of Enid Blyton’s pen and was known as the spoilt, silly and spiteful. She is by no means stupid, but doesn’t work very hard so receives bad marks in her classes. Like Gwendoline, you’re a bit of a show-off, boastful and mean, but you do show yourself to be a kind girl on occasion and, thankfully, you redeem yourself in the last book.
So tell us, are you a quiet and studious Sally, a funny and mischievous Alicia or a spiteful and spoilt Gwendoline perhaps? Share your results in the comments.