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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. About how far is it to Paris from Rosas?

2. Why is Hornblower to be transported to Paris?

3. How does Caillard respond?

4. Who interviews Hornblower?

5. What does Hornblower observe about Marie's build?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Hornblower awaken to a few days after his capture? How does he respond? What does he see? What do you think he might have felt when he first saw the fight?

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

3. What happens to the coach that stops travel for a while?

4. What do you think of the fact that of all the houses the men could have gone they happen to find one with occupants sympathetic to them?

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

6. 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?

7. Where and when is Hornblower when the book opens?

8. 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?

9. How do Hornblower and Brown implement an escape?

10. How did Hornblower end up where he is at the beginning of the novel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Though this novel is probably more action driven rather than character driven, obviously there are several characters who make the novel what it is. Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast Hornblower to Bush.

2. Compare/contrast Brown to Bush.

3. Compare/contrast Hornblower to Brown.

Essay Topic 2

Hornblower throughout much of novel is emotionally involved with three different women. Discuss one following:

1. Compare/contrast Hornblower's feelings about Marie versus Maria.

2. Compare/contrast Hornblower's feelings about Marie versus Lady Leighton.

3. Compare/contrast Hornblower's feelings about Maria versus Lady Leighton.

Essay Topic 3

In Chapters 5 and 6 while Hornblower and his men are on the road, much of the narrative is devoted to Hornblower's internal analysis of being a prisoner of war under death sentence. Discuss one of the following:

1. Hornblower is tried and convicted as a pirate because he is not flying the English ensign when he engages the French. Should he be punished by death?

2. When is the sentence of death applicable in a military situation--i.e., should some wartime actions be punishable by death? Discuss fully.

3. Trace and analyze Hornblower's thoughts about death throughout the story, including the death of others--for example, Hornblower hates the idea of dying but is hoping Admiral Leighton will die of his wounds.

(see the answer keys)

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