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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. Where did the other crew members find Legatt with the deceased?

2. What does the captain eat at breakfast?

3. With what word does the strange man beside the ship respond to the captain's first question?

4. What keeps the captain from sleeping the night they see a strange ship approaching?

5. What does the stranger in the water ask of the captain before boarding the ship?

Short Essay Questions

1. For what reason does the captain issue his order for all hands to go to sleep while he himself takes the watch alone?

2. What characterizes the difficulties faced by the captain on his first day of true command?

3. How does the chief mate of the unnamed ship refer discretely to his strange new captain, and for what reason?

4. After being unable to pull the rope ladder over the edge of the ship, the captain impatiently looks over the side to see what the problem is. What does the captain discover? What does he believe he sees at first?

5. The author gives the reader one example of the captain's determination and ability to stand his ground when making a decision. What is it?

6. What is indicated about the captain based upon his precautionary manner of proceeding in fetching clothes for the stranger?

7. Why does the captain say that it is trying to be on deck, but it is also trying to be down below? What does he mean?

8. How does Legatt describe the man that he killed? What does this say about Legatt's character?

9. The story begins with the captain coming aboard his new ship. Explain how the captain is feeling at the beginning of the story and how the author paints that picture.

10. Who finally suggests that it is necessary for Legatt to leave the ship? Why? How does the other man feel about this?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Though not a strictly metaphorical text, The Secret Sharer does, like most good literature, have a metaphorical aspect in that it conveys a deeper meaning than that which is literally presented. This relationship between the literal and the transcendent significations of the text is the relationship between vehicle and tenor. Analyzing the text of The Secret Sharer, write an essay which explicates how the transcendent meaning - the tenor - is conveyed through various imagery, circumstances, situations, and settings - the vehicle. How do the vehicles of meaning relate to the higher signification, i.e. by what means? How are the vehicle and tenor reciprocally related to one another?

Essay Topic 2

As a first person narrative, little information is given definitively on the deeper consciousnesses of those besides the narrator; thus, the reader must exegetically abstract the personality of others through their related actions and words, without access to their thoughts. Thus, construct a thoughtful essay analyzing the significance of the character of Leggatt by consideration of his actions and words throughout the story. What is his general disposition to his predicament? What particular actions demonstrate this disposition? How does he conduct himself as a fugitive? What personality traits does he display through his actions and words? What is his evident opinion of the incompetent? What is his overall significance to the story?

Essay Topic 3

Legatt and the captain go to extreme measures in order to keep Legatt's presence a secret. They do this at a risk to both of their lives. Why? What is it about both men that makes them feel this way? Give specific examples from the book.

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