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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. Who is allowed to communicate with Billy in chapter 23?

2. In chapter 25, what does the crew cry in unison?

3. What does Billy cry out a moment before his punishment is carried out?

4. Which character stares at Billy with a meditative and melancholy expression in chapter 17?

5. What time is dogwatch?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Claggart's funeral.

2. What irony is evident in the nature of Captain Vere's death?

3. Why does Captain Vere feel it necessary to deliver the court's verdict to Billy personally?

4. Why does Billy refuse to believe that Claggart is orchestrating the events that are plaguing him?

5. What religious event compares to Billy's funeral?

6. What accusation does Claggart bring against Billy?

7. How does Melville explain the trusting nature of most sailors?

8. How does Billy react to Claggart's accusation?

9. Describe Billy's funeral.

10. What misgivings do the surgeon and the other officers have about Billy's impending trial?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is Billy's Achilles' heel and how does it affect his character? Does Billy's Achilles' heel negate his standing as the "Handsome Sailor" of the Bellipotent? Why or why not? If Billy's is the "Handsome Sailor" of the Bellipotent, how does his Achilles' heel affect the other characters?

Essay Topic 2

What ironies are evident throughout the novel? What ironic elements are present in Billy's trial and execution? What ironic elements are presented in the manner in which Billy's story is reported on land versus at sea?

Essay Topic 3

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!"

(see the answer keys)

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