John Elwes, a millionaire member of parliament who would go to bed before dusk to save on candles, inspired this character
Find out everything that you need to know about today’s Jeopardy episode, including the Final Jeopardy, clues and answers, and the contestants plus who won tonight!
CATEGORY: 19th Century Literary Characters
CLUE: John Elwes, a millionaire member of parliament who would go to bed before dusk to save on candles, inspired this character
ANSWER: Ebenezer Scrooge
About Today’s Final Jeopardy – Wednesday, 15 May 2024
John Elwes’ reputation as a miser became legendary during his lifetime and well beyond, making him a figure of public fascination and, eventually, literary inspiration. Born into wealth, Elwes inherited a fortune from his uncle, also a notorious miser, and added to his wealth through investments and a frugal lifestyle that bordered on penury. Despite his substantial financial resources, Elwes would wear tattered clothes, starve himself to save on food costs, and refuse to spend money on basic household maintenance, letting his properties fall into disrepair. His eccentric behaviors, which included refusing medical care to save money and risking his health by exposing himself to harsh weather conditions, were widely reported and often ridiculed in society. His extreme aversion to spending became synonymous with his identity, overshadowing his other contributions as a member of parliament and further cementing his legacy as a quintessential miser.
Charles Dickens, known for his keen observations of Victorian society and his critique of social inequalities, found in Elwes a perfect archetype for his character Ebenezer Scrooge. “A Christmas Carol” emerged not only as a reflection on individual greed but also as a broader commentary on the social and moral obligations of the wealthy towards the less fortunate. The transformation of Scrooge from a miser to a benefactor is central to the novella’s message of redemption and community spirit, themes that resonated deeply in the 19th-century context of growing industrialization and the widening gap between the rich and the poor. Dickens’ portrayal of Scrooge’s redemption journey offers a hopeful narrative that individuals can change for the better, influencing society positively. Through Scrooge’s story, inspired by real-life figures like John Elwes, Dickens was able to weave a compelling tale that has endured as a beloved Christmas story, reminding readers of the enduring value of generosity and compassion.
Who Won Jeopardy Tonight? – Wednesday, 15 May 2024
Looking to find out who won Jeopardy tonight? Scroll down below to find out everyone’s final scores, as well as the scores after the Single Jeopardy and Double Jeopardy rounds!
| Returning Champion | Contestant | Contestant |
|---|---|---|
| Will Stewart Originally Nashville, Tennessee Political Organizer 3 Day Winnings of $70,501 Final Score: $13,201 Round 2 Score: $12,800 Round 1 Score: $7,600 | Kathy Olson Allentown, Pennsylvania Journalism Professor Final Score: $13,199 Round 2 Score: $6,600 Round 1 Score: $1,800 | Grant DeYoung Prescott, Arizona Grocery Clerk Winning Score: $25,601 Round 2 Score: $13,200 Round 1 Score: $3,400 |
Final Jeopardy Video – Wednesday, 15 May 2024
Watch all the videos from today’s Jeopardy episode below, including highlights, behind the scenes outtakes and full episodes.
Final Jeopardy is the final round of the popular American television game show Jeopardy!, in which participants test their knowledge in numerous areas by answering questions. In Final Jeopardy, participants are given a single clue and must wager a percentage of their existing earnings based on their confidence in their ability to successfully respond.
Each contestant surreptitiously writes down their wager during the commercial break. The Final Jeopardy clue is presented when the programme resumes, and participants have 30 seconds to write down their solution in the form of a question (e.g., “What is…?”). When the timer runs out, the host, reveals each contestant’s response and wager in ascending order of their pre-Final Jeopardy scores. The scores of contestants are adjusted based on whether their response is correct or incorrect, as well as the amount wagered. At the end of the round, the contestant with the highest score is proclaimed the winner.