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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 does Maturin think of this visit to the foretop?

2. What does Aubrey show Maturin when they climb into the foretop?

3. Whom does Maturin teach to read and write in chapter six?

4. Who leads the French Armada?

5. What consumes all of Aubrey's time while the H.M.S. Surprise is anchored at Bombay?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Aubrey and Stourton differ in their approaches to leadership on the ship?

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

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

4. Why does Maturin's desired outcome for Canning not come to pass?

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

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

7. What ruse is used to fool the French armada about the strength of the China fleet?

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

9. How are the officers of the H.M.S. Surprise treated by the China fleet?

10. Why might Pullings be disappointed with the actions of Mr. Hervey's uncle while the H.M.S. Surprise is anchored at Bombay?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How do letters advance the plot of the novel? Think about letters written by any of the major characters. What kind of information does the author give the reader through letters? Are the letters an effective means of moving the plot?

Essay Topic 2

As the two major characters in H.M.S. Surprise, are Stephen Maturin and Jack Aubrey foils for one another? Does each man stand out because the other is available for comparison?

Essay Topic 3

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.

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