Billy Budd Sailor

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  • 1/16 Questions

    Billy can be best described as.

    • Innocent
    • Daredevil
    • Loud
    • Crude
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About This Quiz

This quiz focuses on 'Billy Budd, Sailor' by Herman Melville, assessing understanding of characters, plot details, and thematic elements. It examines key aspects like innocence, mutiny, and character differentiation, relevant for learners studying American literature.

American Literature Quizzes & Trivia

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  • 2. 

    Melville distinguishes Billy from conventional heroes by:

    • Not being popular

    • Making him a stutterer

    • Not being confident

    • Being very quite

    Correct Answer
    A. Making him a stutterer
    Explanation
    Melville distinguishes Billy from conventional heroes by making him a stutterer. This characteristic sets him apart from the typical confident and articulate heroes. Billy's stutter adds a layer of vulnerability and complexity to his character, making him more relatable and human. It also highlights the challenges he faces in expressing himself and communicating effectively, which further emphasizes his struggle and inner conflicts throughout the story.

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  • 3. 

    What is the name of the ship which billy was transfered from?

    • Lovelylady

    • Bigboy

    • HMS Bellipotent

    • The Rights of Man

    Correct Answer
    A. The Rights of Man
    Explanation
    Billy was transferred from a ship named "The Rights of Man".

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  • 4. 

    What were Captain Vere's last words?

    • Life has been good to me

    • Billy, please forgive me

    • Forgive me lord for i have sinned

    • Billy Budd, Billy Budd

    Correct Answer
    A. Billy Budd, Billy Budd
    Explanation
    Captain Vere's last words were "Billy Budd, Billy Budd." This suggests that his final thoughts and concerns were focused on Billy Budd, possibly indicating guilt or remorse for the role he played in Billy's unjust execution. It implies that Captain Vere may have carried a heavy burden of responsibility for the tragedy and wanted to express his regret and sorrow in his final moments.

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  • 5. 

    What is Billy accused for when he kills John Claggart?

    • Running away

    • Killing another sailor

    • Mutiny

    • He wasn't accused for anything

    Correct Answer
    A. Mutiny
    Explanation
    Billy is accused of mutiny when he kills John Claggart. Mutiny refers to the act of rebelling or revolting against authority, particularly within a military or naval context. In this case, Billy's action of killing Claggart can be seen as an act of insubordination and defiance against the ship's authority, making him accused of mutiny.

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  • 6. 

    What was the name of the french vessel, by which Captain Vere was killed?

    • Athee

    • The Vessel

    • Casa Blanca

    • Monchere

    Correct Answer
    A. Athee
  • 7. 

    As billy entered Vere's quarters, what was he expecting to happen?

    • To be dismissed from the ship

    • To be promoted to Coxwain

    • To be killed

    • To be asked to take over Claggart's job

    Correct Answer
    A. To be promoted to Coxwain
    Explanation
    Billy was expecting to be promoted to Coxwain when he entered Vere's quarters. This can be inferred from the context that Billy had previously impressed Vere with his skills and loyalty, and Vere had mentioned the possibility of promoting him. Therefore, Billy had a positive expectation of being promoted to a higher position on the ship.

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  • 8. 

    When the chaplain visited billy he?

    • Did not mind, he gained nothing

    • Broke down crying

    • Gave a confession

    • Killed him

    Correct Answer
    A. Did not mind, he gained nothing
    Explanation
    When the chaplain visited Billy, he did not mind because he gained nothing from the visit. This suggests that Billy was indifferent or unaffected by the presence of the chaplain. It implies that the visit did not have any significant impact on Billy's emotions or thoughts.

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  • 9. 

    Billy's first clue as to why Claggart despises him:

    • The Dansker

    • He was told by fellow ship mates

    • He over hears Claggart talking to himself

    • He never realizes

    Correct Answer
    A. The Dansker
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "The Dansker." This suggests that Billy's first clue as to why Claggart despises him is the information provided by The Dansker, who may have observed or heard something about Claggart's feelings towards Billy.

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  • 10. 

    When the court questioned Claggart's motive in accusing Billy Vere called said it was:

    • Vere didn't answer

    • Claggart being correct in accusing Billy, even though no evidence was presented

    • Claggart being jealous

    • A mystery of iniquity

    Correct Answer
    A. A mystery of iniquity
    Explanation
    The court questioned Claggart's motive in accusing Billy Vere and referred to it as a "mystery of iniquity." This suggests that the court found Claggart's accusation to be unfounded and without a clear explanation or motive. The term "mystery of iniquity" implies that there is a hidden or unknown wickedness behind Claggart's actions, making it difficult to understand his true intentions.

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  • 11. 

    What is the major theme in the story?

  • 12. 

    What two characters show this theme? how?

  • 13. 

    How is Billy viewed by the crew? Claggart?

  • 14. 

    Are they viewed differently? how so? if yes how do they differ?

  • 15. 

    Who is the protagonist and the antagonist in the story?

  • 16. 

    How can the theme be applied to everyday life? Does it even apply to everyday life? 

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  • Current Version
  • Mar 21, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Apr 15, 2010
    Quiz Created by
    Kazza0733
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