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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 comes to the Atropos?

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

3. How much does Hornblower believe has been recovered?

4. What will have to be used to enter the reinforced lazarette?

5. What English ship does the Atropos finally encounter?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the next attempt at using explosives.

2. Describe the first attempt at using an explosive device and what is decided as a result.

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

4. Where does Atropos sail and from whom does Hornblower receive a dinner invitation?

5. Describe the beginning preparations for the salvage operation.

6. Describe the capture of the Castilla.

7. How does the Atropos crew pass the time while the salvage operations are being conducted and how much is ultimately recovered?

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

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

10. What does Hornblower find when he returns to the Atropos?

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

Forester is masterful in his description of battles, storms and life in general in the West Indies in the early 1820s. Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze Forester's descriptive passages about life at sea, particularly in times of stormy weather or difficult passages. How does he use descriptions of the five senses to make the reader feel s/he is there? Do you find his descriptions compelling? Seemingly accurate? How would the novel be different if he did not include such descriptive passages?

2. Analyze Forester's descriptive passages about the social structure of the times and discuss what you think it would be like to be a person of wealth and/or privilege such as Hornblower, The Prince, Admiral St. Vincent or any other characters of the gentleman or noble class. Contrast that to the lives of those who are in a lower social strata such as the Singalese divers or the drunk who is leading the horses in chapter one.

3. Describe and analyze Forester's descriptive passages about the topographical setting and the physical descriptions of the people. Does Forester do an adequate job of actually making the reader "see" the land/sea where the action is taking place? How about getting a visual image of the characters? How do the descriptions of the setting add to the novel? Do you like having an idea of how a character looks? How would the novel be different without such descriptions?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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