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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 much does Hornblower believe has been recovered?

2. Who does Hornblower summon to accompany him?

3. Where is McCullum?

4. Around what is the fuse wrapped?

5. What is removed from McCullum's wound?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Where does Atropos head after Malta and what does Hornblower do during the voyage?

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

5. What does Eisenbeis explain to Hornblower about McCullum's wound?

6. What does Hornblower suddenly notice about two deserted fortresses?

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

8. What besides the fortresses has appeared to cause problems for the Atropos?

9. Describe Hornblower's interaction with the Mudir.

10. Describe McCullum and his divers.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Most protagonists are a mixture of admirable traits and character flaws, and Admiral Horatio Hornblower is no exception. Hornblower's legendary powers of reasoning are juxtaposed with his nervousness and internalized self-doubt. Discuss the following:

1. Trace and analyze situations when Hornblower demonstrates his prodigious powers of reasoning. Give specific examples to illustrate your analysis. Where in Hornblower and the Atropos does Hornblower's reasoning fail?

2. Trace and analyze Hornblower's character flaws, especially his nervousness and self-doubt, offering specific examples of these flaws in your discussion.

3. Discuss how you think Hornblower's admirable traits might help him obtain a high rank in the Navy and how Hornblower hides his character flaws so they have not impeded his career. Do any of those under his command seem to notice these flaws? Who? How does the reader know this?

Essay Topic 2

Many of the series of novels concerning Horatio Hornblower take place during the Napoleonic Wars; therefore understanding the political and social situation during that time engenders greater understanding and appreciation of Hornblower and the Atropos and others in the series. Discuss one of the following:

1. Research and write an expository essay about how the Napoleonic Wars begin and end.

2. Research and write an expository essay about the naval aspect of the Napoleonic Wars between Britain and France.

3. Compare/contrast the importance of the British navy during the Napoleonic Wars to the importance of the British navy during either WWI or WWII.

4. Trace and analyze how it is obvious that Hornblower and the Atropos is set during the Napoleonic Wars.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,461 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample