Billy Budd Chapter 1-3 Flashcards
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Billy Budd Chapter 1-3 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What does 'cynosure' mean?

The center of attention

What does 'welkin-eyed' describe?

Sky blue eyes

What does 'impressed' mean in the context of a ship?

Assigned to

What does 'complement' refer to?

<p>A full group</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'demur' mean?

<p>Objection</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'reproach' mean?

<p>Scold</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'corpulence' refer to?

<p>Fat</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'prepossessing' mean?

<p>Careful</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'aridity' refer to?

<p>Dryness</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'rueful' mean?

<p>Sad, regret</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'treacle' refer to?

<p>Honey</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'ugly row' mean?

<p>Argument, fight</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'celerity' mean?

<p>Speed</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'genial' mean?

<p>Friendly</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'vicissitude' mean?

<p>Change</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'fatalist' mean?

<p>Go with the flow</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'sulleness' refer to?

<p>Very sad</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'hearth' mean?

<p>Fireplace home</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of Billy's old ship?

<p>The Rights of Man</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Billy react when he gets picked to leave the ship?

<p>He is happy</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do Billy's shipmates react to his reaction of being picked to leave?

<p>They are surprised and they scold him</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is Captain Graveling?

<p>The captain of the Rights of Man</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Captain Graveling react to being told Billy is being taken from him?

<p>He's so upset that Billy is leaving</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the Lieutenant tell Captain Graveling about the king?

<p>That he would be very impressed to hear that the Captain gave up his best sailor to another ship in need</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does the Lieutenant yell at Billy while the ship is leaving?

<p>He says goodbye to the ship</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'rectitude' mean?

<p>Morally correct</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is the reaction to Billy Budd by the other sailors different here in the Indomitable than it was on the Rights?

<p>He is not given as much attention, he somewhat blends in</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Billy Budd look relevant to his age?

<p>He is 21 but he looks younger due to his soft feminine face</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is Billy's appearance contrasted with that of the other sailors?

<p>He looks less experienced</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do the harder faces and the intelligent sailors react to Billy?

<p>They smile when they see him, his charm is still affecting the other sailors but subtler</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Billy respond when asked about his place of origin?

<p>He does not know</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do we learn about Billy's level of education and his hobby?

<p>He is illiterate and likes to sing</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does Melville describe Billy as an 'upright barbarian'?

<p>Because he is uncivilized, but he is good and honest</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do we learn about Billy's speech?

<p>He has a stutter</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the author say about Satan and Billy?

<p>He says that even though Billy is pure and innocent, Satan has still struck him by giving him a severe stutter</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the fact about Billy's stutter affect the nature of the story?

<p>Billy is not a hero and there is no romance</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the circumstances of the recent mutinous spirit among various ships in the English fleet.

<p>The crews are revolting and taking over the ship</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the English government deal with the mutinous mood of the time?

<p>They controlled the revolts and they have kept it low key</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Vocabulary Terms

  • Cynosure: Refers to the center of attention, a focal point in a situation.
  • Welkin-eyed: Describes someone with sky blue eyes, suggesting beauty and innocence.
  • Impressed: Indicates being assigned or enlisted into military service.
  • Complement: Means a full group or a complete set, typically referring to personnel on a ship.
  • Demur: Denotes an objection, often utilized in formal contexts.
  • Reproach: Means to scold or express disappointment towards someone's actions.
  • Corpulence: Describes obesity or being overweight, a physical trait.
  • Prepossessing: Indicates being careful or attractive, often implying charm.
  • Aridity: Refers to dryness, whether literal (climate) or metaphorical (lack of emotion or vitality).
  • Rueful: Conveys feelings of sadness or regret over something lost or done.
  • Treacle: A term for a sticky substance like honey; can also refer to something overly sentimental.
  • Ugly row: A phrase that means an argument or a fight, typically involving heated emotions.
  • Celerity: Represents speed or quickness in action or response.
  • Genial: Describes someone who is friendly and cheerful, fostering a pleasant atmosphere.
  • Vicissitude: Refers to change or variations, particularly in circumstances or fortunes.
  • Fatalist: Denotes an attitude of accepting events as inevitable, going with the flow.
  • Sulleness: Reflects a state of being very sad, often characterized by a gloomy demeanor.
  • Hearth: Represents the fireplace, symbolizing home, warmth, and family life.

Key Characters & Events

  • Billy's Old Ship: The vessel he previously sailed on is named "The Rights of Man."
  • Billy's Reaction to Leaving: He expresses happiness upon being selected to leave the ship, showcasing a positive outlook.
  • Shipmates' Reaction: Billy's shipmates are surprised and scold him for his joyful demeanor, which contrasts with expectations.
  • Captain Graveling: He is the captain of "The Rights of Man" and shows deep regret and upset over losing Billy to another ship.
  • Lieutenant's Commentary: The lieutenant informs Captain Graveling that the King would be impressed to learn of his sacrifice in parting with his best sailor.
  • Billy's Departure: While leaving the ship, Billy bids farewell, prompting a reprimand from the lieutenant.
  • Billy's Adaptation: Upon joining the Indomitable, Billy receives less attention from sailors, blending in rather than standing out.

Characteristics of Billy Budd

  • Physical Appearance: At age 21, Billy has a youthful, soft, and feminine appearance, making him look younger than his age.
  • Contrasting Sailors: Compared to other sailors, Billy appears less experienced, which highlights his innocence.
  • Reception by Sailors: The hard-faced, intelligent sailors smile upon seeing Billy, indicating his charm still has an effect, albeit subtly.
  • Origin and Education: Billy is not aware of his place of origin, is illiterate, and has a passion for singing.
  • "Upright Barbarian": Critiques of Billy highlight that while he is uncivilized, he embodies goodness and honesty despite social inadequacies.
  • Speech Impediment: Billy possesses a stutter, which contributes to his characterization as complex and imperfect.
  • Satan's Influence: The narrative suggests that his innocence is marred by his stutter, paralleling themes of purity and corruption within the story.

Societal Context

  • Mutinous Spirit: There is an atmosphere of rebellion among various ships in the English fleet, with crews attempting to take control.
  • Government Response: The English government manages the situation by containing revolts and keeping unrest at a minimum.

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Test your knowledge with this set of flashcards covering key vocabulary from chapters 1 to 3 of 'Billy Budd'. Each card features a word along with its definition, helping you to enhance your understanding of the text. Perfect for students looking to improve their literary vocabulary.

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