View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What attitude does Captain Vere gain from his studies?

2. What nickname does Billy's older friend give him?

3. What is Captain Vere's nickname?

4. Who is Red Whiskers?

5. Where does the first recorded mutiny of the British Navy occur?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the social climate on board a ship compare to the social climate on land?

2. How do the sailors on board the Bellipotent view John Claggart?

3. What does Claggart mean when he says, "Handsomely done, my lad! And handsome is as handsome does it, too!" ?

4. What is Billy's one flaw?

5. How does Melville explain moral depravity?

6. Describe Captain Vere.

7. Which one of the seven deadly sins drives Claggart to destroy Billy?

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

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

10. What is Captain Vere's favorite hobby?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

According to Melville, why are sailors more trusting than men who live on land? How does age and training relate to the trust Melville claims sailors exhibit? Why does Billy have a greater sense of trust than Claggart since both are sailors?

Essay Topic 2

How is sarcasm used in the novel? Compare the use of sarcasm with deception. How does Billy's innocence contrast with Claggart's sarcasm? How does it affect his perception of the sarcasm? What did Claggart really mean when he said, "Handsomely done, my lad! And handsome is as handsome did it, too!"

Essay Topic 3

How does emotional repression affect the development of emotion among the sailors on the Bellipotent? How does Claggart's repression of feelings magnify his anger? What is the consequence of his repression? How does Billy's repression of his feelings magnify his sense of confusion? What is the consequence of his repression?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,062 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample