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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 two characters begin to suspect Billy of wrongdoing?

2. Whom do the officers want to contact?

3. Which two groups of people does Melville compare in chapter 16?

4. Where does the crew assemble in chapter 25?

5. What is unusual about Billy's death?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What is unusual about Billy's death?

4. Why are the events on the Bellipotent distorted in the naval chronicle?

5. What explanation does Billy give for being called to the captain's cabin in chapter 19?

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

7. How does Melville compare religion to righteous living?

8. How does Melville compare the politics that surround Billy's case with Jesus' trial?

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

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

How does Melville demonstrate the contrast between good and evil? Which characters and actions are used to represent good and evil? How is the war between good and evil represented in the novel? What affect does this war have on the characters?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

How does literature affect Captain Vere's character? How does the genre of Captain Vere's literary preference affect his relationship with his officers and crew? How do the ideals presented in Captain Vere's favored literature affect his command style and decision making process?

(see the answer keys)

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