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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What other name is a reference to Captain Vere?

2. What is Billy and Claggart's relationship like before they sail together on the Bellipotent?

3. How is John Claggart's appearance described in chapter eight?

4. What event occurring on land mirrors a naval mutiny?

5. How old is Billy?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Billy's background.

2. What is a mutiny?

3. Describe Captain Vere.

4. How does Melville explain moral depravity?

5. Who is the Dansker and how does he help Billy?

6. What advice does the Dansker give Billy about his confrontation with the afterguardsman?

7. Why is Claggart "down" on Billy?

8. Who is Starry Vere?

9. What incident is the catalyst for Billy's demise?

10. What is Billy's one flaw?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does literature affect Captain Vere's character? How does the genre of Captain Vere's literary preference affect his relationship with his officers and crew? How do the ideals presented in Captain Vere's favored literature affect his command style and decision making process?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Melville's theory of moral depravity. How does innate moral depravity compare to moral depravity caused by licentious (sexually immoral) living? What evidence does Melville give to prove that Claggart is suffering from a form of insanity that manifests itself as innate moral depravity?

Essay Topic 3

What role does the fear of mutiny play in the novel? How does the fear of mutiny affect discipline on board 18th century British ships? Describe two forms of discipline utilized on board ships in the 18th century and indicate the strengths and weaknesses of each form of discipline.

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