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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. Why is the Count opposed to the current administration?

2. What does Hornblower learn about Leighton?

3. What does the doctor do to help Bush?

4. In what way does Hornblower answer the Count?

5. Who interviews Hornblower?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What happens that slows down the travel?

5. 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?

6. 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?

7. What seems to be one of Hornblowers primary emotional states? What does he think when he reviews his actions which led to his imprisonment?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Along with treason, another detestable action is spying. Spies are not considered in the same vein as soldiers in uniform and are not protected by the customs and regulations that govern the treatment of soldiers who are in uniform when captured. Discuss one of the following:

1. Why do you think spies are not accorded any rights under many countries' laws and/or customs?

2. Even though all countries abhor spies, often even their own, they still spy, and men and women are still willing to be spies. Discuss why you think this is so.

3. Research and analyze the history of spying in either England, the United States or Russa.

Essay Topic 2

Hornblower is ordered to engage the French, though he is quite outnumbered and ultimately his ship is captured and 2/3 of his crew are killed or wounded. This is considered an "acceptable loss." Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think the Admiral who orders Hornblower to "sacrifice" the Sutherland believes the loss of the ship and many lives is acceptable?

2. Many wars are fought under the assumption of "acceptable losses." Usually it is the common foot soldier who is doing most of the dying. In fact, the term "cannon fodder," is often used to describe infantry who are killed by the hundreds gaining small hills or bits of land, sometimes to lose the same piece of "real estate" several times with continuing loss of life. Is this truly acceptable?

3. Sometimes some will say that wars would be few and far between if those who decided to go to war had to be in the front lines. Do you think that would make a difference?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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