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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 Nicolls' general state of mind when he takes the side trip with Maturin?

2. How long does the rescue of Maturin take?

3. In chapter one, under what circumstances do Sir Joseph Blain, Admiral Harte, and various other political and military figures meet?

4. Where does Sophie's meeting with Maturin in chapter one take place?

5. Does the sudden storm near St. Paul's Rocks affect the H.M.S. Surprise?

Short Essay Questions

1. What special advantage is there in Aubrey's capturing of the French gunboat?

2. What does Sophie Williams think of Maturin's approach to wooing Diana Villiers?

3. What set of circumstance allows Aubrey and some of his crew easy access to the French controlled Port Mahon?

4. Why is the voyage to Kampong be good for Stephen Maturin?

5. How is Maturin an advocate for Aubrey concerning the H.M.S. Surprise?

6. What details does Aubrey omit from his letter to Sophie about the land raid he and the crew perform while headed for Minorca?

7. After the planned rendezvous with Maturin at Minorca, what is Captain Aubrey supposed to do concerning the H.M.S. Lively?

8. During Aubrey's problems in chapter four, how does the relationship between Mrs. Williams and Sophie fare?

9. During the meeting of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, why is Sir Joseph Blain worried about the First Lord's mention of Dr. Stephen Maturin?

10. Describe the encounter between Aubrey's crew members and the French guard detail at the prison.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

If it is the role of an antagonist to set obstacles in the way of the protagonist, who is then be considered the protagonist, and who is the antagonist in the novel? Explain using passages from the book.

Essay Topic 2

A novel may have more than one theme, but each theme includes a subject and a verb. To say the theme of a poem is war, for instance, is incomplete. More appropriate would be to say the theme is that war is futile. Discuss a major theme in the novel H.M.S. Surprise. Explain why you believe it is a major theme and use evidence from the book to support your point.

Essay Topic 3

Early in the novel, the Chinese and Japanese of the crew on the H.M.S. Lively massacre every one of the French men during the engagement near Cape Gooseberry. Aubrey leaves out the details of the violence when he writes to Sophia about the victory. Why do you think the pressed sailors are so brutal? By leaving out the details of the bloodshed, from what is Aubrey trying to protect Sophia? Is the excessive violence due to a cultural difference? What do you think Aubrey has to say about that?

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