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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. Who does Hornblower congratulate on the speed of his ship?

2. What does the Clorinda do?

3. What does Cambronne bewail?

4. Who follows the Estrella out of port?

5. What is Hornblower's position as the novel opens?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who commands the Clorinda and what is his financial situation?

2. What does the governor warn Hornblower about, and how does Hornblower's facile political manipulations set up the captain of the Estrella del Sur?

3. What is the political situation at San Juan and how does this prevent any further action against the Estrella del Sur?

4. After a period of introspection, what does Hornblower conclude Cambronne's plans are?

5. What is the cargo of the Daring according to the men of the Crab?

6. How is Hornblower not up to his usual powers of observation and deduction?

7. What would enable Fell to profit by the capture of the Estrella del Sur and by how much would he profit?

8. How does Hornblower encounter the Estrella del Sur's captain and what does Hornblower do?

9. What is the Daring?

10. What does Hornblower tell Cambronne when Hornblower boards the Daring?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

During this era when the book takes place, if a vessel under the command of a naval officer captures another vessel from a country with whom they are warring or captures a pirate vessel, etc...the crew of the victorious vessel shares in the goods, money and value of the vessel. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think the British had such a "prize" policy in place then?

2. What are the possible abuses that can arise from such a policy?

3. Why do you think this policy is eventually abandoned?

4. Do you think the per head prize money for slave vessels help contribute to the ending of slavery? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The plot of Chapter 4 relies heavily upon the regional geopolitical situation existent during the early 1820s in the West Indies. Discuss one of the following:

1. Research and describe the geopolitical situation during the early 1820s in the West Indies. What countries have a political interest in the area? Which countries have colonies in the area? Who is aligned with each other? What tensions are present?

2. Research, describe and analyze the presence of Simón Bolívar in Venezuela during the early 1820s. How does he help bring about Venezuela's independence from Spain? Does his cause seem just? How does he influence the obtaining of independence of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia? How is he viewed today in those countries?

3. Knowing Hornblower's position as an English admiral, how do you think he viewed someone such as Simón Bolívar? What political stand does England take during this time in the West Indies? Is Hornblower likely to have contributed to England maintaining their power in the West Indies? How?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze one major theme of Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies. Consider the following: How does one character's actions portray the theme you are analyzing? How does the setting contribute to that theme? Is the theme one that you would call a "universal theme"? If so, what other book or novel that you have read also includes this theme. If not, why don't you think it is a "universal" theme?

2. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies. How does one character's actions portray the themes you are analyzing? How does the setting contribute to that theme? Is the theme one that you would call a "universal theme"? If so, what other book or novel that you have read also includes this theme. If not, why don't you think it is a "universal" theme?

3. What benefit is there in discussing and analyzing the themes of a work of fiction? Do you think most authors consciously develop themes in their works? Why or why not? Can there be accidental themes? What do you think is one possible "accidental" theme in Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies. Which theme in ADMIRAL HORNBLOWER IN THE WEST INDIES speaks to you the most in your life? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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