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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. Why does the narrator of "Jimmy Rose" refuse to change the wallpaper in his parlor?

2. Why does the narrator of "The Piazza" believe the soil is richer around the cottage that he finds?

3. Why does the narrator of "I and My Chimney" decide never to leave home?

4. To what did Captain Delano attribute Benito Cereno's ineffectiveness as captain?

5. Why is Captain Delano glad he was not astute enough to recognize the mutiny?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the narrator claim shows Jack Gentian's natural gentility?

2. In "The Lightning Rod Man," why does the narrator pretend to mistake the salesman for the god Jupiter Tonans?

3. Why does the narrator of "I and My Chimney" believe his chimney is good for invalids?

4. According to the deposition in "Benito Cereno," what would have happened to Captain Delano if he had suspected a mutiny aboard the San Dominick?

5. What is Captain Delano's intention in boarding Benito Cereno's ship?

6. What foibles does the narrator claim Jack Gentian possesses?

7. What does the chimney in "I and My Chimney" provide for the narrator on the second landing?

8. What does the bug in the apple-tree table teach the narrator's daughter, Julia?

9. Why do the peacocks on the wallpaper in the parlor seem to the narrator to represent Jimmy Rose?

10. What is unusual about the bug that emerges from the apple-tree table in the story of that name?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Melville often leaves critical parts of a story unsaid. In "The Town-Ho's Story," for instance, the reader never knows what threat Steelkilt mutters to the captain that causes him to decide not to flog Steelkilt. Likewise, in Hunilla's story in "The Encantadas," he says that " . . . the unnamed events which befell Hunilla on this isle, let them abide between her and her God. In nature, as in law, it may be libelous to speak some truths." Analyze the effectiveness of withholding key information from the reader in this way.

Essay Topic 2

An allegory is a story that is in itself a symbol or represents an idea. Select one of Melville's allegories, such as "The Piazza" or "The Bell Tower" to analyze in terms of its symbolic significance.

Essay Topic 3

Several of the stories in this collection deal with relationships between men and women. Using at least two stories as a basis, evaluate Melville's understanding of the status of women in his society and culture. Did he agree with, condemn, or remain neutral about the rights of women?

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