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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 Aubrey do on the voyage?
2. Who calls upon Wallis?
3. Where does the Constitution land?
4. Why does Christmas of 1812 pass with some gloom?
5. How long is the life boat in which Aubrey and his men float?
Short Essay Questions
1. What answers Aubrey's unspoken question as to why the Captain of the Java does not first engage in long-range gunfire before closing to board?
2. What does Maturin learn that explains the Navy's treatment of Aubrey?
3. Why is it somewhat miraculous that the HMS Leopard pulls into Pulo Batang successfully?
4. What do you think it means that Raikes' body was gnawed upon and do you think that is acceptable?
5. Why do you think it would be a serious faux pas to not attend the Captain's table to which one is invited in order to manage one's specimens as Maturin almost does?
6. Why would the men welcome being on board the HMS Java though it is quite crammed with people?
7. What tone for the novel is set and how is it set by the references to "Abraham"?
8. Why do you think the sailors on board La Flèche do not take the war with the United States very seriously?
9. Why do you think the USS Constitution leads the Java on a long chase to sea?
10. How would you respond to being in open sea in an eighteen-foot boat with twelve other people?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Aubrey is interviewed by several obnoxious agents from the Navy who accuse him of various war crimes. He is thought to be a spy and the one who gives Wogan false intelligence. Discuss the following:
1. How many countries do you think have spies?
2. Why do you think spies are thought to be both necessary and yet they are despised?
3. Would you ever be willing to be a spy for your country?
4. A spy is not protected under the Geneva conventions. Why do you think that is?
Essay Topic 2
When Aubrey and his boat of men are finally rescued by the HMS Java, it is mentioned in passing that Raikes' body was gnawed upon--the suggestion is that one or more of the men ate some of Raikes' flesh to stave off starvation. Discuss one of the following:
1. What sort of actions are and are not justified in order to survive?
2. What are the psychological and mental characteristics do you think a person has to possess in order to survive under extreme circumstances?
3. Do you think you would survive an extreme situation? Why or why not? Discuss fully.
Essay Topic 3
Though the author O'Brian may or may not have such personal views on women, the way women are characterized in his naval series is often less than complimentary. Discuss one of the following:
1. Present and analyze the treatment of women in THE FORTUNE OF WAR.
2. O'Brian is trying to be historically accurate, so is his treatment of women in his book(s) justified?
3. Is there any way O'Brian could have presented women in a more positive light and still stayed historically accurate? Explain.
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This section contains 1,054 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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