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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Where does the narrator in The Town-Ho's story tell his tale?
(a) The Cape of Good Hope.
(b) On the deck of the Town-Ho.
(c) On the deck of the Pequod.
(d) Lima, Peru.

2. What do Steelkilt's three remaining conspirators decide to do to save themselves?
(a) Kill Steelkilt.
(b) Support Steelkilt's mutiny.
(c) Bind Steelkilt and give him to the captain.
(d) Sneak back to their posts.

3. What does the narrator say a man does when confronted with an unreasonable situation?
(a) Acquiesces out of courtesy.
(b) Doubts the other person.
(c) Digs in his heels.
(d) Questions his own mind.

4. How does the narrator of "The Two Temples" attend the meeting at the church?
(a) He hides in the bell tower.
(b) He bribes the man who guards the door.
(c) He sneaks into the foyer.
(d) He disguises himself as the bell ringer.

5. What country possessed the Encantadas at the time Melville wrote?
(a) Colombia.
(b) Bolivia.
(c) Peru.
(d) Chile.

Short Answer Questions

1. What surprises the narrator when he goes to his office on a Sunday?

2. With what alliteration does Melville describe the islands?

3. Why doesn't the narrator dismiss Bartleby for insubordination?

4. What is the first thing Bartleby says he would prefer not to do?

5. What do Steelkilt and his men demand in return for obeying orders?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the narrator say happens to one in command who discovers a subordinate who is "significantly his superior"?

2. What do the sailors in "The Encantadas" do with tortoises?

3. Why does Melville come to believe that some buccaneers on the isle of Albermarle must have been gentlemen?

4. Why does Melville refer to Oberlus as "a creature whom it is religion to detest?"

5. How does the narrator respond the first time Bartleby answers a request with, "I would prefer not to"?

6. What does the author of "Poor Man's Pudding" and "Rich Man's Crumbs" pray that Heaven will save him from?

7. What did Steelkilt's followers decide to do upon their release?

8. In "The Happy Failure," what is the uncle's great invention?

9. Why does Melville believe that American poor suffer more than European poor?

10. What are Turkey's shortcomings as a scrivener?

(see the answer keys)

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