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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 ensures Fell's continued employment?

2. Why is Hornblower in despair?

3. What does Cambronne demand as verification?

4. What will break the restraint on the sea anchor?

5. What occupies Clorinda's days?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the ostensible reason Cambronne has hired the Daring, and does Hornblower believe the explanation?

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

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

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

5. How large is the fleet Rear Admiral Hornblower commands and why is his flagship one of the lesser vessels?

6. Describe Fell's decision regarding the Estrella del Sur and the result of the decision.

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

8. What vessel has Hornblower made his flagship in this chapter and what is the vessel doing?

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

10. If Cambronne is undertaking the mission which Hornblower believes he is doing, why is Hornblower concerned and what does Hornblower determine to do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Loyalty is demonstrated in a number of ways, as is the lack of loyalty. Discuss the following:

1. How do you define loyalty? Is the ability and desire to be loyal an admirable trait in humans? Why or why not? What are the advantages and disadvantages of being loyal to a person? Cause? Country? Idea? What of those who are loyal to something no matter what they learn about that person, thing, ideal, country, etc., in other words, blind loyalty.

2. Discuss and analyze Hornblower's tendency to be loyal. Is it always warranted? Wise? Earned? What situation in Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies show Hornblower's loyalty at its most ideal? Do you feel that Hornblower is a loyal British subject? Friend? Husband? Comrade? Discuss each situation.

3. Cambronne is also loyal to his (former) emperor, Napoleon. Is Cambronne's loyalty wise? Earned? Idealistic? Compare Cambronne's loyalty to Napoleon with some aspect of Hornblower's loyalty.

4. Why do you think Ned Johnson is unable to command any loyalty from the band of men and women he attempts to lead? What could he have done differently to gain their loyalty?

Essay Topic 2

In chapter 4, Hornblower's wife, Barbara, inform Hornblower that Ramsbottom has made a big splash in the English social scene and that the man is a millionaire. It is the first time Hornblower has read the word as being attached to an individual, and he finds it distasteful in that context. Discuss one of the following:

1. Considering that Ramsbottom is labeled a millionaire in the early 1800s, he must be a man of considerable wealth, probably akin to a billionaire today. Why do you think he chooses to risk his life (which is still fairly young) on helping Bolívar towards liberation for Venezuela? Do you think his actions are admirable or foolish? Or both?

2. Ramsbottom could be labeled a filibuster or freebooter. Research that term as used in that era and define it, then answer the following questions: What do you think are the motives of most filibusters or freebooters? How do you think they have contributed to the instability of many governments? Do you think this type of person still works behind the scenes in unstable regions? Why or why not?

3. Ramsbottom seems unconcerned about his grave wound and exuberantly follows Bolívar's army. Do you think Ramsbottom is so passionate about freeing the Venezuelans from Spanish rule that he is not thinking clearly? Do you think many fanatics who do things despite huge odds or grave physical wounds are unbalanced? What makes a fanatic?

Essay Topic 3

Admiral Hornblower is in some ways a larger-than-life hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, in this book and in the others in the series. Discuss the following:

1. Does having a larger-than-life hero make that person less of a hero? In other words, which is more admirable--a hero who ultimately always "lands on his feet," or one who strives against impossible odds and doesn't always succeed?

2. Does a character have to be successful in order to be a hero? Explain your answer.

3. Choose one other character besides Hornblower who you might call a hero/heroine and explain why you choose that person.

4. Does every work of fiction have to have a hero? Explain your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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