Oliver Twist Group

Question:

victoryvigneshwaran
victoryvigne...

In regards to Oliver Twist, please help me with the following riddle:  A rich man needs______.  A poor man has______.  If you eat_______ you die.

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Posted by victoryvigneshwaran on Thursday October 1, 2009 at 4:41 AM and tagged with dickens, nothing, oliver twist, riddle.

Answers:


  1. cldbentley Teacher
    High School - 11th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    The answer to this riddle is "nothing."  The writer assumes that those who are rich really do not need for anything, although desires are clearly not addressed.  It is also assumed that those who are poor have nothing; of course, this riddle speaks in a general sense and does not address specifics or individuals.  In addition, it is obvious that those who eat nothing die.  This riddle is certainly not new, but those who are not already aware of the answer may find it especially challenging to solve, as it addresses three possibilties that are so diverse and may seem completely unrelated.  Because "nothing" is also not a material belonging, it may not be obvious when the mind may be focused on financially related answers for at least the first two blanks.

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    Posted by cldbentley on Thursday October 1, 2009 at 8:11 AM