How Well Do You Know Herman Melville?
Take this quiz based on Herman Melville's life, one of the greatest American novelists. Find out how well you know about this poet of the American Renaissance period. Melville has written several short stories, poems, and novels, and his work often revolved around the communicative expression theme. This quiz is for all literature lovers out there. Even if you don't know him, this quiz will give you a glimpse of his life and works. Let's see how well you can score. All the best!
- 1.
Which of these professions has Herman Melville been in?
- A.
Lecturer
- B.
Doctor
- C.
Lawyer
- D.
Both A & C
Correct Answer
A. LecturerExplanation
Herman Melville has been a lecturer in addition to being a writer.Rate this question:
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- 2.
What interrupted Herman Melville's early education when he was 12 years old?
- A.
His inability to read
- B.
His friend's demise
- C.
His father's demise
- D.
None of these
Correct Answer
C. His father's demiseExplanation
Herman Melville's early education was interrupted when he was 12 years old due to his father's demise. This event likely caused a significant disruption in his life, potentially affecting his ability to continue with his education at that time. The loss of a parent can have a profound impact on a child's life, leading to changes in their daily routine and responsibilities. It is understandable that Melville's education would have been put on hold or disrupted as he dealt with the emotional and practical consequences of his father's death.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Which of these is Herman Melville's best-known work?
- A.
Moby-Dick
- B.
Typee
- C.
The Confidence-Man
- D.
Both A & B
Correct Answer
D. Both A & BExplanation
Both A & B is the correct answer because Moby-Dick and Typee are both well-known works by Herman Melville. Moby-Dick is considered his most famous and influential work, while Typee is also highly regarded and was Melville's first successful book.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Which of these books inspired Herman Melville?
- A.
Paradise Lost
- B.
Macbeth
- C.
Two Years Before the Mast
- D.
None of these
Correct Answer
C. Two Years Before the MastExplanation
Herman Melville was inspired by the book "Two Years Before the Mast". This book, written by Richard Henry Dana Jr., is a memoir that recounts the author's experiences as a common sailor during the early 19th century. Melville, himself a former sailor, drew inspiration from Dana's vivid descriptions of life at sea and incorporated elements of his own experiences into his famous novel "Moby-Dick". Thus, "Two Years Before the Mast" played a significant role in inspiring Melville's literary work.Rate this question:
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- 5.
What profession did Herman Melville put himself in when his family faced financial issues after his father's death?
- A.
Actor
- B.
Engineer
- C.
Advocate
- D.
Clerk
Correct Answer
D. ClerkExplanation
After Herman Melville's father's death, his family faced financial issues, and as a result, he put himself in the profession of a clerk. This suggests that Melville took up a job as a clerk to support his family and alleviate their financial struggles.Rate this question:
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- 6.
In which year was The Confidence-Man published?
- A.
1831
- B.
1849
- C.
1857
- D.
1861
Correct Answer
C. 1857Explanation
The correct answer is 1857. The Confidence-Man is a novel written by Herman Melville, which was first published in 1857. It is a complex and philosophical work that explores themes of identity, deception, and human nature. The novel follows the journey of a mysterious and enigmatic character known as the Confidence-Man, who interacts with various passengers aboard a Mississippi steamboat. Through these interactions, Melville delves into the complexities of human behavior and the illusions that people create to deceive themselves and others.Rate this question:
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- 7.
The novel "Benito Cereno" deals with
- A.
The revolt on a Spanish slavery ship
- B.
The civil war
- C.
The smuggling of weapons
- D.
None of these
Correct Answer
A. The revolt on a Spanish slavery shipExplanation
"Benito Cereno" is a novella written by Herman Melville, which tells the story of a revolt on a Spanish slavery ship. The plot revolves around a mutiny led by African slaves aboard the ship, as they overthrow their Spanish captors. The novel explores themes of slavery, power dynamics, and the moral complexities of the institution. Therefore, the correct answer is "The revolt on a Spanish slavery ship."Rate this question:
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- 8.
In which year was "Billy Budd" published?
- A.
1901
- B.
1911
- C.
1916
- D.
1924
Correct Answer
D. 1924Explanation
"Billy Budd" was published in the year 1924.Rate this question:
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- 9.
What's the name of the main character in White-Jacket?
- A.
Jack
- B.
White-Jacket
- C.
Chaplain
- D.
Tawney
Correct Answer
B. White-JacketExplanation
The correct answer is "White-Jacket" because the question asks for the name of the main character in the book "White-Jacket." Therefore, the main character's name is White-Jacket.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Which of these books is not written by Herman Melville?
- A.
Israel Potter
- B.
Moby-Dick
- C.
Leaves of Grass
- D.
Billy Budd
Correct Answer
C. Leaves of GrassExplanation
Leaves of Grass is not written by Herman Melville. It is a poetry collection written by Walt Whitman. Herman Melville is the author of Israel Potter, Moby-Dick, and Billy Budd.Rate this question:
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Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.
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Current Version
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Nov 16, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Jan 03, 2023Quiz Created by
Keith Foster
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