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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 is commanding the French fleet that recently escapes from the Mediterranean?

2. On whom does Hornblower rely in managing the everyday activities of Hotspur?

3. What does Meadows call Baddlestone?

4. What frightens Hornblower about getting on the Princess?

5. What does Hornblower think to himself about Bush?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Captain Baddlestone.

2. What turns out to be a real challenge for Hornblower in leaving the Hotspur and what does he do?

3. Who arrives at the Princess within a few hours after Baddlestone announces the results and why are they there?

4. What is the outcome of Meadows' court martial?

5. What does Hornblower wonder about the court martial and who answers his question?

6. What does Hornblower inform Baddlestone and what is Baddlestone's response?

7. What does Baddlestone say about the strategic situation between Villeneuve's fleet and that of Nelson's fleet?

8. Describe the interaction between Bush and Hornblower when Bush comes to tell Hornblower the water hoy has arrived.

9. What does the lookout spy and what becomes obvious to those aboard the Princess?

10. What does Hornblower suggest and how is it received by Meadows and Baddlestone?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In chapter 2 on board the Princess, Hornblower ponders his personal future. He has been promised a promotion to post captain but wonders if the promotion will actually be given. There are many, many captains waiting for a command. Even if promoted, as the most-junior captain he may simply sit ashore and watch the war pass him by. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think Hornblower is anxious to go back to war? Do you think he is fearless? Suicidal? Courageous?

2. Do you think Hornblower, as many young people, seems to hold the belief that he will not be the one to be killed? Discuss fully.

3. After returning to England, Hornblower suffers what would today be labeled post-traumatic stress from the memory of the bloody battle on the French brig. Do you think Hornblower is as eager to go back to the war now that he has had an up-close sample of hacking men to death? Discuss fully.

Essay Topic 2

During wartime then, and even into the 20th century, a death sentence is often carried out within hours or days after the sentencing among the military. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think a death sentence is executed so quickly among the military during wartime?

2. Do you think it is right that the soldier/sailor has no recourse to appeal a sentence of death if he is convicted of certain crimes in wartime?

3. Do you think McCool should have been allowed an appeal? Explain your answer fully.

Essay Topic 3

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

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Meadows and Baddleston. How are they alike? How are they different? Do you think Hornblower is more sympathetic towards one or the other? Why? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Lieutenant Bush to that of Hornblower. How do their personalities/abilities compare? Who seems more likely to climb the ranks within the navy. Why? With whom would you rather work? Be specific and give examples.

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 Meadows, Baddlestone, Marsden, Bower, and Claudius in the novel. Consider McCool in Hornblower's Temptation. Consider Brown, Barbara and Napoleon III in The Last Encounter.)

(see the answer keys)

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