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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 is Brown doing for the first time in his life?

2. Why do they go to a house they see in the distance?

3. How are the men received?

4. How many French ships do the English manage to destroy?

5. Where is Captain Horatio Hornblower languishing?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the Spanish treat Hornblower and what can he see from where he is? What do you think it says about his character that they would do this?

2. Who is the owner of the house where the escapees knock to ask for aid? How does he treat the prisoners initially?

3. What are mostly in Hornblower's thoughts as he waits his future?

4. How does Hornblower's opinion of Marie's appearance change as he stays in the house? What might this say about appearances in general?

5. Who does Hornblower think of when he first meets Marie and what might these thoughts foreshadow?

6. Why might Marie be a better match in some ways for Hornblower than his wife or the Admiral's wife?

7. What happens that stops the escapees' trip down the river?

8. How does the Spanish surgeon feel about Bush being transported and what does he do to mitigate the possible repercussions to Bush? What does this say about the surgeon's character?

9. What happens in the first few hours after their escape? Why is the river being swift to their advantage?

10. Why does Colonel Caillard come to Rosas prison? What is Caillard like as a man? How do you think Hornblower felt about the man?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Hornblower is an officer and a gentleman and is therefore accorded more respect and trust even in enemy territory than the common sailor. Discuss the following:

1. Does it seem likely that officers are usually more respectable than enlisted men back then? What about today? Why or why not.

2. Hornblower has an adulterous affair with the daughter-in-law of his host and often thinks of Lady Barbara Leighton and how much he would also like to be involved with her. Do you think this is how an officer and gentleman comports himself? Why or why not.

3. In the present military in the United States, both officers and enlisted can be held for court martial for adultery or having sexual relations with someone of inferior rank. Why do you think this is so? Do you agree with the policy?

Essay Topic 2

Most of the entire series of novels concerning Captain Horatio Hornblower takes place during the Napoleonic Wars; therefore understanding the political and social situation during that time helps to a greater understanding and appreciation of this book and others in the series. Discuss one of the following:

1. Research and write an expository essay about how the Napoleonic Wars begin and end.

2. Research and write an expository essay about the naval aspect of the Napoleonic Wars between Britain and France.

3. Compare/Contrast the importance of the British navy during the Napoleonic Wars to the importance of the British navy during either WWI or WWII.

4. Write an expository essay on how the Napoleonic War affects the social culture of one of the following countries: Britian, France, or Spain.

Essay Topic 3

Forester has tried as much as possible to use historical events and facts around which to weave his work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think this book qualifies as an historical fiction? Why or why not?

2. If much of the events in the book are historical, what surprises you about the way the events play out?

3. Do you think the culture of that era is more or less advanced than you imagined? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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