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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 Hotspur's new commander look like?

2. What is the verdict for Bush?

3. What does Baddlestone ask of Hornblower immediately upon Hornblower's arrival on the Princess?

4. What horrifies Hornblower about what Baddlestone says?

5. What does it seem Meadows has done?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Describe Hornblower's leave-taking from the crew of the Hotspur.

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

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

6. What are Hornblower's thoughts about the Hotspur as the Princess pulls away from the other vessel?

7. How do the English plan on destroying Villeneuve's fleet?

8. What happens to the Hotspur?

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

10. What is the purpose of the water-hoy coming alongside the Hotspur?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

HORNBLOWER DURING THE CRISIS is one book in a series of novels involving Horatio Hornblower. Discuss the following.

1. What is one advantage of writing a series of novels about the same characters?

2. What is a disadvantage of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.

3. Do you prefer to read a standalone book, or a series of books with the same main characters? Explain your response.

4. Do you think it is easier or more difficult (or about the same) to write a standalone book versus one in a series? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze one major theme of Hornblower During the Crisis. Consider the following: How does one character's actions portray the theme you are analyzing? How does the setting contribute to that theme? Is the theme one that you would call a "universal theme"? If so, what other book or novel that you have read also includes this theme. If not, why don't you think it is a "universal" theme?

2. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of Hornblower During the Crisis. How does one character's actions portray the themes you are analyzing? How does the setting contribute to that theme? Is the theme one that you would call a "universal theme"? If so, what other book or novel that you have read also includes this theme. If not, why don't you think it is a "universal" theme?

3. What benefit is there in discussing and analyzing the themes of a work of fiction? Do you think most authors consciously develop themes in their works? Why or why not? Can there be accidental themes? What do you think is one possible "accidental" theme in HORNBLOWER DURING THE CRISIS. Which theme in HORNBLOWER DURING THE CRISIS to you the most in your life? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Horatio Hornblower is in some ways a larger-than-life hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, in this book and in the others in the series. Discuss the following:

1. Does having a larger-than-life hero make that person less of a hero? In other words, which is more admirable--a hero who ultimately always "lands on his feet," or one who strives against impossible odds and doesn't always succeed?

2. Does a character have to be successful in order to be a hero? Explain your answer.

3. Choose one other character besides Hornblower who you might call a hero/heroine and explain why you choose that person. Give examples of their actions which you would call heroic.

4. Does every work of fiction have to have a hero? Explain your answer.

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