On the surface, Melville’s Billy

Answer choices

1. A

   Bad Premise Match1% picked this

   Given a choice between an allegorical and a nonallegorical reading of a novel, one should

   This would get us where we want to go (the conclusion is suggesting the nonallegorical reading), but it doesn't use the reason the premise did. This is just saying "eh, let's just always lean away from the allegorical". That's stronger than anything the author proposed. She was saying "since there's no textual or historical evidence, let's lean away from allegorical".

   1%
2. B

   Too Strong: the only20% picked this

   The only relevant evidence in deciding in which genre to place a novel is the

   The author didn't need to assume that the author's stated intention is the only thing we should ever consider (in fact, she seems to be willing to consider clues from the text or from historical evidence as well, which pretty much would contradict this principle).

   20%
3. C

   Too Strong1% picked this

   In deciding between rival readings of a novel, one should choose the one that is most

   Too Strong: Most Favorable Bad Premise Match The author's premise is saying "because simple tragedy would be the most favorable way to read this ...". She says, "Since we don't have any textual or historical evidence suggesting allegorical ... "

   1%
4. D

   Correct74% picked this

   Without relevant evidence as to a novel’s intended reading, one should avoid viewing

   Why this is right

   This matches the move from Premise to Conclusion. "Since there is no textual or historical evidence M intended an allegorical reading, lets steer clear of forcing an allegorical reading on this one."

   Skill tested: Principle-Conform · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

   74%
5. E

   Too Strong: The Only4% picked this

   The only relevant evidence in deciding the appropriate interpretation of a text is

   The author doesn't seem to invoke any principle that is this extreme, and the fact that she considers historical evidence as a possible source of "allegorical intent" would go against this principle.

   4%