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. What does Hornblower assume about the Mudir's request?

2. What is removed from McCullum's wound?

3. Under whose care is McCullum placed?

4. Where does Atropos anchor?

5. What will happen to Eisenbeiss if McCullum dies?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Hornblower think is good news?

2. Who wants to go with Hornblower and the Prince and why doesn't Hornblower allow him?

3. What does Hornblower tell Eisenbeiss concerning the duel and McCullum?

4. How do the divers find the ship and what is the resultant plan?

5. How does Hornblower continue his ruse concerning the Castilla?

6. Who comes aboard on a visit to the Atropos and what do Hornblower and the visitor discuss?

7. Describe the beginning preparations for the salvage operation.

8. Why does Hornblower believe the second attempt at explosives is unsuccessful and what does McCullum explain?

9. Describe how the treasure is stored and how it is recovered.

10. What does the Mudir tell Hornblower and what are Hornblower's assumptions from the information?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of McCullum and Eisenbeiss. How are both abrasive? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Is either man's cause more worthy than the other? Do you think Hornblower is more sympathetic towards one of the men compared to the other? Why? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Hornblower in chapters 1-4 with Hornblower as he is in the remainder of Hornblower and the Atropos. How can you tell they are the same man? How do they seem different? Which do you enjoy more? Why? Which of the two Hornblowers seems more "real?" Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples. (Consider Maria Hornblower, Tom Jenkins, Pallender, Admiral Lord St. Vincent, Lieutenant John Jones, the Prince Seitz-Bunau, the Mudir, George Turner and Collingwood as secondary characters for the purpose of this essay topic.)

Essay Topic 2

C. S. Forester often uses historical events and facts around which to weave his work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think Hornblower and the Atropos qualifies as an historical fiction? Why or why not?

2. If many of the events in the book are historical, what surprises you about the way the events play out?

3. Do you think the culture of that era is more or less advanced than you imagined? Explain.

4. Would you enjoy living in this era? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

McCullum and Eisenbeiss fight a duel in which McCullum is gravely injured. Discuss the following:

1. What is a duel? How is it conducted? Why is it conducted? When does the use of duels to settle matters of honor go out of use in England? The United States?

2. What other methods do you think could be used to settle a matter of honor or insult to one's reputation?

3. In England, dueling becomes illegal in the 19th century, yet men still engage in them and the winner often has to flee to escape punishment. Do you think dueling should have been made illegal? Why or why not?

4. Research dueling in Britain and discuss the typical reasons two men (and once a female couple) would engage in a duel. Do the reasons seem worth the potential costs?

5. If dueling were still legal, can you imagine engaging in one? Why or why not.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,300 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample