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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. What does the captain yell over the side of the ship, down the ladder to the body below?

2. Whom does the captain say he will have relieve him after his unprecedented watch alone?

3. What did Legatt do with the articles he removed while swimming in the sea?

4. What is the name of the ship approaching dangerously close to the crew's ship at the beginning of the story?

5. Where did the stranger first hide from those searching for him after he escaped the Sephora?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is signified by the stranger's speech after he hears the plight of the newly-made captain?

2. What strangeness is dominant in the mind of the captain in the story's early part?

3. Why does Leggatt request to be marooned?

4. How does the captain smooth over the situation with the steward so that Legatt is not discovered in his quarters?

5. When does the captain put their escape plan into place? What does he do? What reaction does this produce from the crew?

6. How does the captain feel after the skipper leaves the ship? Why?

7. There are a couple of times when the captain describes or refers to Legatt as a ghost. When does he do this, and why?

8. How does the stranger report his former companions treating him after the murder?

9. What most strongly fascinates the captain about the stranger?

10. What thoughts dominate the mind of the captain when the steward brings his wet coat into the stateroom?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Though it is not explicitly stated, there is a sense in which Leggatt, by undergoing his punishment of ostracism, is given redemption. In an insightful essay, carefully written, analyze this unarticulated theme of the book. What is the moral state of Leggatt? In what way has he acted immorally? In what ways has he acted morally? Why is he in need of redemption? How is he redeemed? What is indicated about the overall significance of the story by the conclusion with Leggatt's redemption?

Essay Topic 2

It is Legatt who suggests that he escape the captain's ship. The captain is not eager to agree at first. Explain why the captain feels that way, and ultimately why he changes his mind.

Essay Topic 3

This story is written in the first person from the point of view of the ship's captain. What are the other points of view an author can use to tell a story? Identify and explain them. Also, explain how Joseph Conrad uses the first person point of view to help tell his story. How would the story have changed if he would have used another point of view?

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