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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 Saturday evening?

2. Who is Michael Herapath?

3. On what vessel had there been a mutiny?

4. What does Aubrey do to Herapath?

5. From whom does Maturin receive a summons?

Short Essay Questions

1. A somewhat unique connection is forged between Aubrey and Herapath during the rescue-from-drowning scene. Why do you think this connection occurred?

2. The rescue of Herapath begins the novel's restrained, intricate, and playful treatment of the sexually-charged atmosphere of a man-of-war with hundreds of men and three women--one of them obviously pregnant and all of them dangerous criminals. What do you think is meant by this statement?

3. What does Aubrey find when he inspects the prisoners' quarters and what happens when he sees Wogan?

4. How do the prisoners fare during the storm and what crimes do they commit?

5. Who does Aubrey encounter as they leave Brazil and what does he find out?

6. What is Aubrey doing at the beginning of the novel?

7. What happens after the ship is put in order from the storm and what does Maturin discover?

8. What does Pullings find after the storm?

9. Who visits Aubrey often and what does he find Aubrey involved in with his initial visit in this book?

10. What happens when the epidemic hits and who does Herapath replace?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In addition to understanding the war in which O'Brian's novels are set, 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 Desolation Island.

2. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the ships used in the early 1800s?

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).

4. Compare/contrast one of the naval battles described in the novel with one from WWII.

Essay Topic 2

Grant takes over for Aubrey and though he is competent, he is unwilling to take advice which results in the Leopard being seriously disabled. Grant and some other officers and seaman take to the lifeboats. Though Aubrey thinks it is not necessary to abandon ship, he allows the men to leave. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think it is wise on the part of Aubrey to allow Grant to captain the ship even though Grant was most senior next to Aubrey? Did Aubrey have a choice?

2. Do you think it is wise of Aubrey to let the men go with the boats and provisions without a fight considering if they were unable to save the Leopard, there were no lifeboats left?

3. What do you think happens to Grant and the others who left in the lifeboats?

Essay Topic 3

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 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?

(see the answer keys)

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