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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. How does the Mudir respond to Hornblower's anger?

2. Who goes ashore to make purchases?

3. What has leaked?

4. Where does Atropos anchor?

5. What does Eisenbeiss want to do for McCullum?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the Atropos' escape from the Marmorice Bay.

2. What does Hornblower think is good news?

3. Describe Hornblower's interaction with the Mudir.

4. Describe the beginning preparations for the salvage operation.

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

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

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

8. Describe McCullum and his divers.

9. What does Hornblower see at Cartagena that surprises him, and what does he do?

10. What does Hornblower do after delivering the treasure?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often in Forester's series involving Horatio Hornblower, his ship and/or life is saved by extraordinary means. Discuss the following:

1. Research and define the literary term "narrative contrivance."

2. Identify and analyze a time in the book when Forester makes free use of the technique of narrative contrivance to save Hornblower and his ship in Hornblower and the Atropos.

3. Does the use of narrative contrivance diminish the impact of the plot? The believability of the storyline?

4. Is there any other way Forester could have a mixture of suspense and action while at the same time making certain the main characters are not killed?

Essay Topic 2

Honor is a very important concept in Hornblower and the Atropos and in the life of those in the upper class during that era. After Hornblower retrieves over 200,000 pounds of gold and silver, he immediately sails to turn over the treasure to his superiors despite the fact that he could have absconded with the money and lived in ease the rest of his life. Discuss the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of honor in Hornblower and the Atropos. What do you think Admiral Hornblower would tell you is the definition of honor if you ask him? Do you think honor can be restored if it is lost?

2. Respond to the following statement using specific examples from the book and your own experience: Honor is one of the most important character traits for anyone in any social strata. First fully define the concept of honor, then discuss whether you believe the preceding statement is true with specific examples from Hornblower and the Atropos and other books or films that you have read or experienced.

3. During the era in which Hornblower lives, a man could give his word on the basis of being a gentleman and it is assumed to be true. There is no such concept for a lady or anyone of lower social/economic groups during this era. Fully discuss the implications in a society where only gentlemen are considered trustworthy enough to give their word unquestioned.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss Hornblower and the Atropos based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if it is a successful novel. Explain your rationale with specific examples.

3. Do you think the fact that Hornblower and the Atropos falls within the genre of historical fiction changes the criteria upon which its success should be judged? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,524 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample