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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 the atmosphere in France because of Napoleon's reign?

2. How does Hornblower's interviewer act?

3. Where is Captain Horatio Hornblower languishing?

4. How does escape by river enhance their chance of success?

5. How long has it taken the men to travel about 400 miles?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does the French innkeeper do for the English prisoners before they leave? What thoughts does Hornblower mull as they travel in the coach?

3. How does Hornblower appeal to Caillard's humanity and what is Caillard's response?

4. How do Hornblower and Brown implement an escape?

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

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

7. How does Hornblower feel when preparing for bed with the other prisoners? How does he feel about his pending execution? Do you think he is a coward that he worries about his possible reaction at the time of the execution?

8. What does Hornblower say is the reason Bush should not be executed and what is Caillard's response? What does the response say to you about his character?

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

10. What is Hornblower told will be done with him? How would you feel if you were him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Caillard, like the tyrant Napoleon, denigrates his social and military inferiors and cares little or nothing for the welfare of those under his supervision. Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze Caillard as a person and military officer throughout the story.

2. Discuss what you believe are ten of the most important traits of an officer and which of these Hornblower seems to possess.

3. How important do you think it is to the winning of a war to have men (or women) who can command the respect and loyalty of their troops? Explain fully.

Essay Topic 2

Several of the "enemy" are kind to Hornblower and his men, starting with the Spanish warden who insists that Hornblower be allowed a steward and who gives Hornblower money for the trip. Additionally, various surgeons and innkeepers along the way offer kindness. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think people who are kind tend to be kind, whether it is an enemy or friend? Why or why not.

2. Is it traitorous to be kind even to the "enemy" as some of the Spaniards are along the way as Hornblower and his men are traveling?

3. How do you think the kindness and maintaining of honor when confronted with the "enemy" in a prisoner-type situation helps when the war is over and those at war attempt to heal the "bad blood" between the nations?

4. Is kindness possible to one's enemy when at war?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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