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. How does Maturin help Aubrey's career in Chapter four?

2. At the beginning of the book, with whom is Dr. Stephen Maturin recently involved romantically?

3. Maturin pays to stay informed of the whereabouts of whom?

4. Besides seeking treatment in England, what else does Maturin think helps him recover his health after Port Mahon?

5. What close friend do Sophie and Dr. Stephen Maturin have in common?

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 negative influences have an impact on Jack Aubrey's career?

4. How does Aubrey learn he is to break station and sail to Minorca?

5. How does Jack Aubrey come to command the H.M.S. Lively?

6. Does Maturin have any experience in counseling?

7. Why is the whereabouts of the French officer Dutourd a potential problem?

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

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

10. What does Maturin think of the possible consequences of the First Lord's mention of the doctor's name during a meeting?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Early in the novel, Stephen Maturin willingly discusses Jack Aubrey with Sophia who is engaged to Jack. That personal conversation contrasts with Maturin's awkward advice when Mr. Nicolls confesses misdeeds on their excursion to St. Paul's Rocks. What is the difference between the two conversations? What is Maturin's attitude toward Sophia and toward Nicolls? Does either conversation bring up any past incidents in Maturin's mind? What does Maturin's reaction in each conversation tell us about him?

Essay Topic 2

Weather plays quite a role in the novel. What impact do the storms at sea in particular have on Aubrey and Maturin?

Essay Topic 3

Stephen Maturin does not have official status aboard the H.M.S. Surprise. Although he serves as the ship's physician, Maturin is not a naval officer. How then does he relate to the crew? How does he treat the men, and what do they think of him?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 781 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample