James Joyce · English Literature

The first and last words of 'Finnegans Wake' combine to form a complete sentence, signifying its circular structure. What are they?

  1. The... end.
  2. A... way.
  3. riverrun... the
  4. Sir... Tristram rode forth.
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Correct answer: riverrun... the

The book begins with 'riverrun, past Eve and Adam's...' and ends with 'A way a lone a last a loved a long the'. The final 'the' leads directly back to the first word, 'riverrun,' creating an infinite loop.

Difficulty: Medium Question 19 of 20

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