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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 long has Hornblower been involved in the blockade of Brest?

2. What might Hornblower end up doing?

3. Who is commanding the French fleet that recently escapes from the Mediterranean?

4. What does Hornblower say about conditions in Hotspur's assigned area?

5. What is Hornblower forced to admit?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why doesn't the Princess set sail immediately for England and how do the naval officers respond?

3. How is the space allocated aboard the Princess now with so many extra men?

4. What happens when Captain Meadows begins to read his orders of command and what does Bush do?

5. How is Hornblower feeling and why is that surprising to him?

6. What does Captain Meadows say about Baddlestone when Hornblower asks?

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

8. Why does the Princess ride so roughly?

9. How does Hornblower learn that Baddlestone overcharged him tremendously for passage aboard the Princess?

10. Describe Hornblower's part in Meadows' court martial.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Loyalty is demonstrated in a number of ways, as is the lack of loyalty. Discuss the following:

1. How do you define loyalty? Is the ability and desire to be loyal an admirable trait in humans? Why or why not? What are the advantages and disadvantages of being loyal to a person? Cause? Country? Idea? What of those who are loyal to something no matter what they learn about that person, thing, ideal, country, etc... -in other words, blind loyalty.

2. Discuss and analyze Hornblower's tendency to be loyal. Is it always warranted? Wise? Earned? What situation in HORNBLOWER DURING THE CRISIS shows Hornblower's loyalty at its most ideal? Do you feel that Hornblower is a loyal British subject? What about in "Hornblower's Temptation"? Friend? Husband? Comrade? Discuss each situation.

3. Do you think McCool is truly loyal to Ireland? Why do you think he would go from the military service of one country (England) to that of military service with a country at war with the first country (France). Does McCool not feel any loyalty to his oath of service? Does he think loyalty to his oath is invalid since he is from Ireland?

4. Why do you think even as young as he is, Hornblower is able to elicit loyalty from the men on board the Princess to go fight a difficult and dangerous battle with the sailors of the French brig?

Essay Topic 2

C. S. Forester often uses historical events and facts around which to weave his work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think this book qualifies as an historical fiction? Why or why not?

2. If much of the events in the book are historical, what surprises you about the way the events play out?

3. Do you think the culture of that era is more or less advanced than you imagined? Explain.

4. Would you enjoy living in this era? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Define irony in literary terms. Discuss the irony of the situation with Hornblower providing transportation to Napoleon III in "The Last Encounter."

2. Define symbolism in literary terms. Discuss the use of and meaning of Captain Baddlestone's name, Hornblower's name, the weighted packet, the vessel named Princess...and three other symbols you choose to analyze.

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 the Hornblower During Crisis, "Hornblower's Temptation, and "The Last Encounter."

(see the answer keys)

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