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

2. What does the Bellipotent chase in chapter 18?

3. Why does Billy hesitate when asked about his knowledge of a potential insurrection?

4. What is one explanation given for the odd nature of Billy's death?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What accusation does Claggart bring against Billy?

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

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

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

9. Describe Claggart's funeral.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What role does the social community on board the Bellipotent play in the novel? How are the characters affected by the extended amount of time they spend living and working together in a relatively small area? How are conflicts resolved among crew members? How do unresolved conflicts affect the characters in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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