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 is Aubrey doing as the novel opens?

2. What does Maturin organize after the storm?

3. What does Aubrey tell Maturin about the card players he's been with?

4. Who does Aubrey visit after inspecting the prisoners' quarters?

5. What does Herapath ask of Maturin when Maturin goes ashore?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Maturin receive from Herapath twice and what does he find out?

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

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

4. Who is Louisa Wogan and what happened to her?

5. Why is Maturin called to the Admiralty?

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

7. What does Pullings find after the storm?

8. Wogan's viewing of Aubrey's nude body is humorous and a fictional inversion of usual events. Why do you think the scene is an inversion of usual events?

9. The chapter presents an interesting but routine narrative technique by introducing a letter home from Aubrey followed by a journal entry by Maturin. Both texts flow naturally and are presented in an appropriate voice; they both expose inner thoughts and deep feelings which would ordinarily not come out in common conversation. Explain why you think the author used this technique.

10. How does Maturin manipulate Herapath?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

An American spy, Mrs. Wogan will accompany Maturin and Aubrey on the Leopard. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think a female American is a spy for the British?

2. Compare the difference between how Maturin and Aubrey treat Mrs. Wogan.

3. Do you think it was solely for professional reasons that Maturin in the auspices of the ship's surgeon, examines Mrs. Wogan?

4. In that era, most sailors believe woman should not be on a ship and they brought bad luck. Do you think any of that attitude is still present in the seagoing services (US Navy, US Coast Guard and Merchant Marines). This may require some research.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of DESOLATION ISLAND.

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of DESOLATION ISLAND.

Essay Topic 3

Captain Jack Aubrey 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 succeed?

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

3. Choose one other character besides Aubrey 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)

This section contains 946 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample