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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. Who surprises Maturin and Diana with an early arrival?

2. What threat does Aubrey make in respect to Maturin?

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

4. Is Stanhope the only passenger on the H.M.S. Surprise who suffers from seasickness?

5. Who represents the East India Company in Calcutta?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Maturin's reaction to Dil's death?

2. Why is Maturin's meeting with Canning awkward?

3. Why does Aubrey call together the captains when the H.M.S. Surprise returns to the China fleet?

4. How does Stanhope's ill health finally affect Aubrey and his crew?

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

6. What do his interactions with Dil and Diana in chapter seven suggest about Maturin's view of his role with women?

7. How are Aubrey and Maturin's lives complicated by women in chapter seven?

8. Why does Commodore temper his excitement after the sea victory?

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

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

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

How does the author use symbolism in the novel? How do the symbols contribute to the book?

Essay Topic 3

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

(see the answer keys)

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