from Benito Cereno

Question

The morning was one peculiar to that coast. Everything was mute and calm; everything gray. The sea, though undulated into long roods of swells, seemed fixed, and was sleeked at the surface like waved lead that has cooled and set in the smelter's mould. The sky seemed a gray surtout Flights of troubled gray fowl, kith and kin with flights of troubled gray vapors among which they were mixed, skimmed low and fitfully over the waters, as swallows over meadows before storms. Shadows present, foreshadowing deeper shadows to come.

To Captain Delano's surprise, the stranger, viewed through the glass, showed no colors; though to do so upon entering a haven, however uninhabited in its shores, where but a single other ship might be lying, was the custom among peaceful seamen of all nations. Considering the lawlessness and loneliness of the spot, and the sort of stories, at that day, associated with those seas, Captain Delano's surprise might have deepened into uneasiness had he not been a person of a singularly undistrustful good nature, not liable, except on extraordinary and repeated incentives, and hardly then, to indulge in personal alarms, any way involving the imputation of malign evil in man.

How does the mood of the passage affect the reader's understanding of plot?

1. The unchanging quality of the sea creates a mood of stillness, emphasizing the peace and tranquility of the captain's life on the sea.

2. The emphasis on strange and unusual circumstances establishes a mood of fearfulness, revealing the captain's alarm about the stranger.

3. The isolated setting and gray imagery produce a mood of loneliness, implying that the captain struggles to trust his crew despite his good nature.

4. The imagery of troubled birds and the gloomy weather contribute to a mood of suspense, suggesting that a conflict will occur between the captain and the stranger.

Answer 1

The mood of the passage plays a significant role in shaping the reader's understanding of the plot. Here's an analysis of how each option relates to this:

1. The unchanging quality of the sea creates a mood of stillness, emphasizing the peace and tranquility of the captain's life on the sea.
   This option, while highlighting stillness, doesn't align well with the overall mood of the passage. The description conveys a sense of foreboding rather than tranquility, as the calmness may be deceptive.

2. The emphasis on strange and unusual circumstances establishes a mood of fearfulness, revealing the captain's alarm about the stranger.
   This is a strong interpretation. The strangeness of the situation, coupled with the captain's awareness of potential danger in the lawless seas, creates a mood of unease that heightens the tension surrounding the encounter with the stranger.

3. The isolated setting and gray imagery produce a mood of loneliness, implying that the captain struggles to trust his crew despite his good nature.
   While the isolated setting and gray imagery do evoke loneliness and an eerie feeling, there is no specific reference in the passage to the captain's mistrust of his crew. Therefore, this interpretation is somewhat misaligned with the primary focus on the strange encounter.

4. The imagery of troubled birds and the gloomy weather contribute to a mood of suspense, suggesting that a conflict will occur between the captain and the stranger.
   This interpretation is very fitting. The troubled imagery and oppressive atmosphere create suspense, indicating that something ominous is approaching. The reader can sense that a conflict may arise from this mood of uncertainty.

In conclusion, while options 2 and 4 are particularly effective in capturing the mood and its impact on the plot, option 4 arguably encapsulates the suspense that hints at an impending conflict, making it a key takeaway in understanding the narrative direction.