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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 character is described in chapter 11 as being "down" on Billy?

2. How is discipline maintained on the Bellipotent?

3. How does Admiral Nelson keep his sailors under control?

4. In chapter 14, how does Billy react to the sailor's request?

5. Which two characters are contrasted in chapter 12?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Who is Squeak?

4. How do the officers aboard the Bellipotent view Captain Vere?

5. Describe Billy's background.

6. Who is Starry Vere?

7. How does Melville contrast Billy and Claggart's characters?

8. What is a mutiny?

9. What is Billy's one flaw?

10. Describe John Claggart.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What role does the social community on board the Bellipotent play in the novel? How are the characters affected by the extended amount of time they spend living and working together in a relatively small area? How are conflicts resolved among crew members? How do unresolved conflicts affect the characters in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

What is a "cat's paw" and which characters represent this analogy? Why does Claggart choose to use a "cat's paw" instead of dealing with Billy himself? How does the use of the "cat's paw" backfire on Claggart?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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