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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 Mudir suggest?

2. What does Hornblower negotiate?

3. To where does Atropos set sail?

4. How is the silver in the Speedwell stored?

5. Who fights a duel?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Hornblower's strategy as he is being pursued by the Castilla?

2. Describe Hornblower's interaction with the Mudir.

3. What does Hornblower tell Eisenbeiss concerning the duel and McCullum?

4. Why does the Atropos have to heave to momentarily and what does Hornblower do?

5. What does Hornblower see at Cartagena that surprises him, and what does he do?

6. Describe how the treasure is stored and how it is recovered.

7. What does Hornblower suddenly notice about two deserted fortresses?

8. Describe the capture of the Castilla.

9. Why does Hornblower believe the second attempt at explosives is unsuccessful and what does McCullum explain?

10. How do the divers find the ship and what is the resultant plan?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often in Forester's series involving Horatio Hornblower, his ship and/or life is saved by extraordinary means. Discuss the following:

1. Research and define the literary term "narrative contrivance."

2. Identify and analyze a time in the book when Forester makes free use of the technique of narrative contrivance to save Hornblower and his ship in Hornblower and the Atropos.

3. Does the use of narrative contrivance diminish the impact of the plot? The believability of the storyline?

4. Is there any other way Forester could have a mixture of suspense and action while at the same time making certain the main characters are not killed?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss Hornblower and the Atropos based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if it is a successful novel. Explain your rationale with specific examples.

3. Do you think the fact that Hornblower and the Atropos falls within the genre of historical fiction changes the criteria upon which its success should be judged? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

At sea, the commander of a vessel is "God," and failure to obey the Captain's orders can subject one to court martial and even execution. Discuss the following:

1. Should sailors be held accountable for anything they do under orders? Discuss fully, using examples both from Hornblower and the Atropos and your own knowledge.

2. Why do you think mutiny on a ship is punishable by death?

3. Is there ever justification for a crew to mutiny?

4. Hornblower threatens Eisenbeiss with flogging and/or hanging both at the time he comes on board Atropos for the first time and later when he shoots McCullum, though Eisenbeiss is neither a British citizen nor part of the navy. Why do you think Eisenbeiss obeys Hornblower? Is it fair that he must fall under the orders of Hornblower?

(see the answer keys)

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