View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What astonishes Captain Vere about the report he receives in chapter 18?

2. Which animals appear at Billy's funeral?

3. To which biblical figure does Melville compare Claggart?

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

5. How does Captain Vere appear after he leaves Billy in chapter 22?

Short Essay Questions

1. What accusation does Claggart bring against Billy?

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

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

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

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

6. How does Melville compare religion to righteous living?

7. Describe Claggart's funeral.

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

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

10. Why does Billy cry out "God bless Captain Vere!" moments before his execution?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How is supernatural symbolism used throughout the novel? When Captain Vere presents Billy to the crew as a murderer, how do the supernatural symbols present during Billy's execution and burial contradict the captain's claims? How is supernatural symbolism used to honor Billy's memory and preserve the truth?

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

According to Melville, why are sailors more trusting than men who live on land? How does age and training relate to the trust Melville claims sailors exhibit? Why does Billy have a greater sense of trust than Claggart since both are sailors?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,168 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample