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Billy Budd, Sailor

Context

Plot Overview

Character List

Analysis of Major Characters

Themes, Motifs & Symbols

Important Quotations Explained

Key Facts

Study Questions & Essay Topics

Quiz

Suggestions for Further Reading

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Table of Contents

Billy Budd, Sailor

Herman Melville

Quiz

1. When did Herman Melville complete Billy Budd?

(A) One year after the events of the novel occur, in 1798

(B) At the height of his career, in 1876

(D) Just in time for its first publication, in 1924

2. What is Billy Budd's nickname on the Bellipotent?

(A) Billy-Boy

(B) Bubbles

(D) Buddy

3. What is Billy's nationality?

(A) American

(B) English

(D) Kiwi

4. Why is Billy's past mysterious?

(A) He was left in a basket on a doorstep as an infant

(B) He was separated at birth from his identical twin

(D) He ran away from home as a young boy

5. What is Billy Budd's disability?

(A) Attention Deficit Disorder

(B) Hemophilia

(D) Dysentery

6. To what stereotype does Billy conform?

(A) Handsome Sailor

(B) Mama's Boy

(D) Renaissance Man

7. On which ship does Billy work at the opening of the novel?

(A) The Bellipotent

(B) The Indomitable

(D) The Declaration-of-Independence

8. What is Billy's position on the H.M.S. Bellipotent?

(A) First Mate

(B) Key Grip

(D) Foretopman

9. What is the name of the old sailor whom Billy consults from time to time?

(A) The Danzig

(B) The Danskin

(D) The Dunster

10. What is Claggart's position on the Bellipotent?

(A) Fo'c'sleman

(B) Lieutenant

(D) Master-at-arms

11. By what nickname do the crew of the Bellipotent refer to Claggart?

(A) Chukka Chukka

(B) Jemmy Legs

(D) Bunco Boy

12. What does Billy spill in front of Claggart?

(A) His soup

(B) Some milk

(D) A pan of oatmeal

13. For what does the mysterious afterguardsman try to recruit Billy?

(A) A refrigerator raid

(B) A midnight game of dice

(D) A drug ring

14. What crime does Claggart accuse Billy of committing?

(A) Perjury

(B) Dereliction

(D) Conspiracy

15. How does Billy respond to Claggart's accusation?

(A) By punching Claggart in the head

(B) By denying everything

(D) By stabbing Claggart in the heart

16. What does Claggart do a few moments after accusing Billy to his face?

(A) Takes back his accusation

(B) Abandons ship

(D) Lies dead on the cabin floor

17. What is Captain Vere's nickname?

(A) The Nutty Professor

(B) Perse Vere

(D) The Chronic

18. How does Captain Vere decide to respond to the killing of Claggart?

(A) By calling a drumhead court

(B) By covering up the whole affair in an effort to save Billy Budd

(D) By suspending judgment until they reach home shores

19. What is Billy Budd formally accused of before the court?

(A) Larceny

(B) Assault

(D) Homicide

20. What is the court's sentence on Billy Budd?

(A) An afternoon in the pillory

(B) Community service

(D) Death by hanging

21. What is Billy's reaction to his sentence?

(A) A violent outburst against his judges

(B) Passive acceptance of his fate

(D) He busts out crying, like the little baby that he is

22. Who visits Billy on the eve of his execution?

(A) Captain Vere

(B) The Dansker

(D) Ishmael

23. When is Billy Budd hung?

(A) Dawn

(B) High noon

(D) Midnight

24. What are Billy Budd's last words?

(A) God bless America!

(B) God save the Queen!

(D) My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

25. Who writes the poem “Billy in the Darbies”?

(A) Billy Budd

(B) The Dansker

(D) Some other sailor

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