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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 Aubrey visit after inspecting the prisoners' quarters?

2. With whom does Maturin think Villiers might have taken up again?

3. What did Wogan have that kept her in good physical shape?

4. With what does Maturin find Aubrey busy?

5. What does Maturin do about the prisoners' illness?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Where do Maturin and Aubrey go so Aubrey can play cards and how did it go there for Aubrey?

3. Grant subtly but constantly criticizes Aubrey's handling of the ship--an irritating trait in any man but particularly when directed at such an obvious nautical genius as Aubrey. Why do you think Grant continues to criticize a captain who is obviously a superior seaman?

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

5. What kind of storm does Aubrey hit when he first sails and what does he do about it?

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

7. What does Pullings find after the storm?

8. 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.

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

10. Maturin begins to mention Herapath to Wogan as a unique case--she claims an interest because she had seen his fall. It seems simple enough to Maturin, and soon enough he discusses Herapath with Wogan freely. All along, the three maintain their innocence. What do you think it means when Maturin thinks Wogan's explanation is dimple enough?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Though the author O'Brian may or may not have such personal views on women, the way women are characterized in his naval series is often less than complimentary. Discuss one of the following:

1. Present and analyze the treatment of women in Desolation Island.

2. O'Brian is trying to be historically accurate, so is his treatment of women in his book(s) justified?

3. Is there any way O'Brian could have presented women in a more positive light and still stayed historically accurate? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast Aubrey's seamanship with that of Grant.

2. Thoroughly analyze the character of Mrs. Wogan, discussing both her strong and weak points and how both affect the outcome of the plot. .

3. Thoroughly analyze the character of Jack Aubrey, discussing both his strong and weak points and how both affect the outcome of the plot.

Essay Topic 3

Sailors are notoriously superstitious. Even Aubrey, though very bright in many ways, is somewhat superstitious, a trait common to many sailors. Discuss the following:

1. What is superstition? Can you name a few common superstitions? Do any of them seem to have any validity in logic?

2. Why do you think sailors have the reputation for being superstitious? Do you think it is true? What superstitions are mentioned in Desolation Island?

3. What are some of the superstitions you are familiar with that sailors seem to believe? Do you believe any of them? Why or why not?

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