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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 odd weather appears the moment of Billy's death?

2. How does Melville characterize sailors in general?

3. In chapter 20, what does the surgeon want to do?

4. What does Captain Vere tell the surgeon to call?

5. Who is a part of the drumhead court in chapter 21?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe Claggart's funeral.

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

4. How does Claggart's expression begin to betray his feelings in chapter 17?

5. Why isn't the chaplain worried about Billy's impending judgment?

6. Why does Captain Vere insist that the drumhead court render judgment according to the Mutiny Act?

7. How does Captain Vere explain Billy's execution to the crew?

8. How does Melville compare religion to righteous living?

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

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 2

How does emotional repression affect the development of emotion among the sailors on the Bellipotent? How does Claggart's repression of feelings magnify his anger? What is the consequence of his repression? How does Billy's repression of his feelings magnify his sense of confusion? What is the consequence of his repression?

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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