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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 Eisenbeiss do as soon as the ship is still?

2. What is removed from McCullum's wound?

3. Why does Hornblower like the Mudir's suggestion?

4. What does the Mudir use as a reason that the Atropos should stay longer?

5. How does Hornblower light the fuse?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Describe the next attempt at using explosives.

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

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

7. What is Hornblower's strategy as he is being pursued by the Castilla?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Because this novel centers around life at sea, it is quite helpful to have a basic understanding of nautical terminology and the types of ships and their armaments that were used during the early 1800s. Discuss the following:

1. Define ten of the most commonly-used shipboard terms and discuss how those terms are used in Hornblower and the Atropos.

2. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the ships used in the early 1800s? Think perhaps about such aspects as speed, pollution, how easily repairs are made, etc.

3. How is the British navy organized during this period (early 1800s) and how different do you think it is organized today (including how one rises in rank. This may require some research.

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

Discuss one of the following:

1. Define irony in literary terms. Discuss the irony of the situation whereby Hornblower believes he is fooling the Mudir. Find two other incidences of irony in Hornblower and the Atropos and discuss them.

2. Define symbolism in literary terms. Discuss the use of and meaning of five symbols found in Hornblower and the Atropos.

3. Discuss the use of foreshadowing in literature. What is the purpose of foreshadowing? Cite 3 examples of foreshadowing and how it is used to indicate events to come in Hornblower and the Atropos.

(see the answer keys)

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