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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. Which types of books does Captain Vere prefer?
2. How is discipline maintained on the Bellipotent?
3. What does Billy never do before?
4. In chapter 15, what does Billy think he should report to the captain?
5. Why does Melville claim that certain men are morally depraved?
Short Essay Questions
1. How do ruling bodies on board a ship compare to ruling bodies on land?
2. What is a mutiny?
3. Describe Billy Budd.
4. Who is the Dansker and how does he help Billy?
5. How does the social climate on board a ship compare to the social climate on land?
6. How does Billy's threat of physical force when confronted by the afterguardsman foreshadow his downfall?
7. What advice does the Dansker give Billy about his confrontation with the afterguardsman?
8. How does Melville contrast Billy and Claggart's characters?
9. How does Melville explain moral depravity?
10. What is Captain Vere's favorite hobby?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
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 2
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.
Essay Topic 3
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?
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This section contains 1,138 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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