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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 concerns the officers in chapter 20?

2. To what do most of the crew attribute the odd circumstances surrounding Billy's death?

3. What is standard procedure in the event of a suspected murder at sea?

4. How does Billy respond to Claggart's accusation?

5. To what does Melville attribute the general attitude of most sailors?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How do the sailors of the Bellipotent honor Billy's memory?

3. What is the significance of Captain Vere's last words?

4. How does Captain Vere view Billy before the foretopman is confronted with the accusation of mutiny?

5. What explanations are given for the odd nature of Billy's death?

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

7. What is unusual about Billy's death?

8. How are the events that occur on the Bellipotent distorted on land?

9. What accusation does Claggart bring against Billy?

10. How is Billy like a sacrificial lamb?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the role violence plays in the novel. When does violence appear to be justified? When does violence appear to be immoral? How does violence, whether justified or immoral, affect the characters in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

What role does the Dansker play in the novel? How does Billy view the Dansker? How does the Dansker view Billy? Why does Dansker feel the need to clarify the events around Billy without offering advice on how to cope with those events?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the difference between reporting illicit activities and tattling. Which factors prevent Billy from reporting the afterguardsman to the captain? What effect does not reporting the incident have on Billy's character? How might the outcome of the novel be different if Billy had chosen to report the afterguardsman to his superiors?

(see the answer keys)

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