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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 Mr. Barrow?

2. Why does Baddlestone turn the papers over to Hornblower?

3. What does Hornblower do when he first makes shore?

4. With whom does Hornblower meet?

5. What bothers Hornblower about the letter from McCool?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Hornblower do while the men are destroying the ship?

2. How does Reverend Doctor Claudius fit into Hornblower's scheme?

3. What is the final outcome (according to an author's note) of Hornblower delivering false orders to Villeneuve?

4. What does Hornblower do mostly because he is so tired and what is the response of Marsden?

5. What is most useful about the document that Hornblower brings to the admiralty?

6. Describe the situation about McCool's chest and what Hornblower ultimately decides to do.

7. What are several factors that cause Marsden to be impressed with Hornblower?

8. Describe the fight to gain control of the French brig.

9. What do Hornblower and his men do when the prize crew arrives?

10. What indications are there that the weighted packet Hornblower takes off the French brig might be important?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

In "Hornblower's Temptation," Hornblower is a very young officer and is given a great deal of responsibility to manage a fairly sly prisoner. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think in the "real" world, a young officer would be given charge of a prisoner such as McCool? Why or why not?

2. What do you think it says about Hornblower's reputation that he is assigned this duty?

3. What sort of character traits do you think a man (at that time) would possess who would attain the rank of admiral, a rank only a tiny fraction of officers ever earn? Does Hornblower possess all or many of the characteristics you name? Hornblower eventually earns the rank of admiral in later books of the series. Can you see a hint of that in his behavior in Hornblower During the Crisis and "Hornblower's Tempation"?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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