View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Hornblower instruct the men of the Crab to do?

2. How does Hornblower's flagship reach New Orleans?

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

4. What happens as the sea anchor deploys?

5. Where does Cambronne say the Daring will now sail?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Where has Cambronne actually gone and what prevents Hornblower from following him immediately?

3. Describe the vessel Hornblower's flagship spies.

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

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

6. How do Fell and Hornblower differ on whether the Estrella's capture is still possible and why would that be so devastating to Fell? What does Hornblower decide to do?

7. How does Hornblower discreetly inform Fell of a possible plan to capture the Estrella del Sur and what is Fell's reaction?

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

9. What does Sharpe tell Hornblower about who has hired the Daring.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Forester is masterful in his description of battles, storms and life in general in the West Indies in the early 1820s. Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze Forester's descriptive passages about life at sea, particularly in times of stormy weather. How does he use descriptions of the five senses to make the reader feel s/he is there? Do you find his descriptions compelling? Seemingly accurate? How would the novel be different if he did not include such descriptive passages?

2. Analyze Forester's descriptive passages about the social structure of the times and discuss what you think it would be like to be a person of wealth and/or privilege such as Hornblower, Ramsbottom, Governor Hooper, Mr. Hough. Contrast that to the lives of those who are in a lower social strata such as Hudnutt, Ned Johnson or one in service to someone of wealth and/or privilege.

3. Describe and analyze Forester's descriptive passages about the topographical setting and the physical descriptions of the peopl. Does Forester do an adequate job of actually making the reader "see" the land/sea where the action is taking place? How about getting a visual image of the characters? How does the descriptions of the setting add to the novel? Do you like having an idea of how a character looks? How would the novel be different without such descriptions?

Essay Topic 2

Because this novel centers around life at sea, it is quite helpful to have a basic understanding of nautical terminology and the types of ships and their armaments that were used during the early 1800s. Discuss the following:

1. Define ten of the most commonly-used shipboard terms and discuss how those terms are used in Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies

2. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the ships used in the early 1800s? (Think perhaps about such aspects as speed, pollution, how easily repairs are made, etc.).

3. How is the British navy organized during this period (early 1800s) and how different do you think it is organized today (including how one rises in rank). This may require some research.

4. Steam engines are just coming into use in this novel. How might they change the way naval battles are fought?

Essay Topic 3

Hornblower and Spendlove are kidnapped by a ragtag group of former pirates in Chapter 3. Discuss the following:

1. What does it say about this band of men and women who seem to believe that what Hornblower reads aloud as far as what he has written is true? Do you think that those who cannot read might think those who can are more honorable or would not write something down different from what they say is written down? Do you think this band feel some inherent trust towards Hornblower?

2. Why do you think Ned is serving as the leader? If he is the leader, what sort of people must his followers be? Is it leadership by acclaim or default? Which type of leadership would be more effective?

3. How do you think the pirates feel when suddenly they no longer have the upper hand and are being bombarded by light mortar? Do you think they feel Hornblower betrays them? Why or why not?

4. When the few surviving pirates are captured, they are eventually hanged. How would they be treated in the justice system of the United States today? Which system seems more fair--the one in which Hornblower operates or today in the United States?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,404 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample