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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 do the French send to the Princess?

2. Why is the packet weighted?

3. What follows after Hornblower is shown leaving the admiralty?

4. What does Hornblower suggest to Baddlestone about the papers from the French brig?

5. What is Hornblower's special duty?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the setting and circumstances at the opening of this short story?

2. What special duty is Hornblower assigned?

3. What procedures are followed by Hornblower and others once McCool is aboard the Renown?

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

5. How do the Englishmen get over to the French brig?

6. What do the formerly sleeping watch sailors do as Hornblower is contemplating what to do with the ship?

7. Describe Hornblower's actions up until he meets with Marsden.

8. Describe Meadows.

9. What does Baddlestone suggest and what does Hornblower ultimately have the men do to the French brig?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Most protagonists are a mixture of admirable traits and character flaws, and Horatio Hornblower is no exception. Hornblower's legendary powers of reasoning is juxtaposed with his nervousness and internalized self-doubt. Discuss the following:

1. Trace and analyze situations when Hornblower demonstrates his powers of reasoning and ability to act in a crisis. Give specific examples to illustrate your analysis. Are Hornblower's strengths apparent in each of the three stories?

2. Trace and analyze Hornblower's character flaws, especially his nervousness and self-doubt, offering specific examples of these flaws in your discussion. Are these flaws apparent in each of the three stories?

3. Compare the young Hornblower from Horn to the older Hornblower in HORNBLOWER DURING THE CRISIS to the elderly Hornblower in "The Last Encounter." How are they alike? What traits are apparent in each selection? How has Hornblower matured?

Essay Topic 3

Hornblower is a man who, for the most part, "plays by the book." Several of the men Hornblower encounters during the course of Hornblower During the Crisis do not play by the book. Discuss the following:

1. Baddlestone is surly and abusive towards the English naval officers knowing he cannot be pressed into service. Additionally, Baddlestone extorts money from Hornblower who does not know the navy's rates for passage aboard the Princess. Do you think Hornblower admires Baddlestone? Finds him despicable? A combination of both? Why do you think Baddlestone is willing to listen to a Hornblower in getting out of the situation with the French brig?

2. McCool also does not play by the rules. How do you think Hornblower views McCool's actions? Do you think Hornblower wishes he had more passion for something as McCool does? Do you think Hornblower is passionate enough to die for his beliefs as McCool does? Why or why not.

3. Hornblower "plays by the book" in choosing not to keep the money from McCool's trunk. Do you think this is admirable? Do you think you'd play by the book in the same situation? Why or why not?

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