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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 do the crew finally commence?

2. What surprises Maturin about Mr. Fielding?

3. What has to be rationed?

4. How do Dr. Maturin and Mr. Martin explore the waters off the side of the ship?

5. What does Mr. Fielding tell Maturin?

Short Essay Questions

1. What surprise awaits Maturin when the Surprise gains a Turkish port?

2. How does the Egyptian Wind affect sailing?

3. Who are Mr. Honey and Mr. Maitland and how does Aubrey help them?

4. What does Aubrey do after crossing the desert?

5. How does Mrs. Fielding change the atmosphere on board the Surprise?

6. How does Maturin learn that the galley is not carrying treasure?

7. What concerns Aubrey about his failed mission with the treasure ship?

8. Who does the crew encounter while setting up camp?

9. What are conditions like for the men on board the Niobe?

10. Why does Aubrey decide to commence training Mr. Maitland and Mr. Honey?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Treason's Harbour is one book in a series of novels involving Captain Aubrey and Dr. Maturin. Discuss the following.

1. What are two advantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.

2. What are two disadvantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.

3. Do you prefer to read a standalone book, or a series of books with the same main characters? Explain your response.

4. Do you think it is easier or more difficult (or about the same) to write a standalone book versus one in a series? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 2

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 Treason's Harbour 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?

Essay Topic 3

Most protagonists are a mixture of admirable traits and character flaws and Jack Aubrey is no exception. Aubrey's insight and a nearly infallible instinct tends to carry him through the various perils he encounters.

1. Trace and analyze situations when Aubrey demonstrates his instinct for handling problems at sea. Give specific examples to illustrate your analysis.

2. Trace and analyze Aubrey's character flaws, especially his ineptness on land such as the hike through the dessert and wandering eye as far as women are concerned.

3. Discuss how you think Aubrey's admirable traits helped him obtain a high rank in the Navy? How does Aubrey hide his character flaws so they have not impeded his career. Do any of those under his command seem to notice these flaws? Who? How does the reader know this?

(see the answer keys)

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