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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 animal does Maturin catch on the coast of Brazil?

2. Why must Maturin be rushed away from the duel scene?

3. What do Diana and Maturin discuss about the local girl Dil?

4. When they meet, what does Diana tell Maturin about her relationship with Canning?

5. What new symptoms does Stanhope display after leaving Bombay?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Babbinton's promotion only considered an acting appointment?

2. Why are Mr. Ahmed Smyth and Atkins at odds with one another?

3. What is the Marine Captain Etherege's approach to Maturin's desire to get satisfaction from Canning?

4. By the time the H.M.S. Surprise reaches Bombay, what is the condition of the ship and the crew and passengers?

5. What are Aubrey's thoughts on the physical distance between him and Linois with the French Armada?

6. What is Maturin's goal at the duel?

7. Is there any point in the long voyage when the people on board are in grave danger?

8. Why is Maturin's recovery of health surprising in chapter six?

9. How effective is Maturin's solution for Stanhope's health after the convulsing?

10. Why is Stephen Maturin so visibly upset when he returns to the H.M.S. Surprise in chapter eight?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Maturin throws naval terms about, but really has little knowledge of the sea and sailing vessels. Aubrey is a man at home on the water, but he faints at a surgical procedure. Why are these two men such devoted friends to each other? What does each give and receive in the relationship?

Essay Topic 2

Both Stephen Maturin and Jack Aubrey assert control of their destinies. Maturin has the advantage of fortune, but Aubrey's heroism gains him position as well. What about the two major female characters? Do Sophia and Diana have control over their own fates? How does each woman assert herself?

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?

(see the answer keys)

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