View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. About what does Hornblower continue to worry?

2. Who visits Hornblower back at his residence in England?

3. What do the men carefully observe?

4. What are Gien, Sully, Château-Neuf-sur-Loire, Jargeau, Orleans, and Beaugency?

5. What does Hornblower learn in a letter from Barbara?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Hornblower discard his disguise so quickly?

2. What does Hornblower and Bush do with Marie and the Count to help pass the time? How does Bush do with it?

3. Why was the disguise as Dutch customs officials so suitable for where the men were going?

4. What is a humorous aspect of the river trip having to do with being on fresh water?

5. What would you say is the purpose of Chapters 11 and 12?

6. What is the writing style like in Chapters 11 and 12?

7. What are Chapters 16 and 17 used for in this story?

8. What does Brown do that demonstrates his change in attitude towards Hornblower and how does Hornblower feel about it?

9. What is Hornblower's status at the end of Chapter 17 and how does he view his possible future?

10. How do you think the plan to steal the Witch of Endor could be viewed and why was it an excellent one? Who helped Hornblower and the others with taking her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

Hornblower , Bush and Brown lie, steal and cheat their way onto the Witch of Endor in order to effect an escape. Discuss the following:

1. There is a cliché that says "All is fair in love and war." Discuss whether you think that is true in a war situation.

2. There is a cliché that says "All is fair in love and war." Discuss whether you think that is true in a love situation. (Hint: Think about Hornblower hoping that Admiral Leighton has died.)

3. Discuss the irony of their stealing a ship when they've been condemned for piracy.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 991 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample