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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 Blaine hint at to Maturin?
2. How does Aubrey respond to Maturin's request?
3. Why do Ringle and Surprise stay with Berenice?
4. What does Maturin give the person he first visits?
5. What does Maturin's caller want?
Short Essay Questions
1. What does Blaine say about the "man with a limp"?
2. How are the readers show a very different side of Aubrey through his children?
3. What does Mrs. Williams say about Aubrey's uniform and what is Sophie's response?
4. About what does Gifford talk to Maturin and what is Maturin's reaction?
5. Why is Maturin unable to take his first foray into the jungle at Freetown?
6. What does Maturin learn from Sir Blaine?
7. What does Maturin tell Aubrey about Diana and Brigid?
8. What happens at the officer's mess that almost starts a fight?
9. What do Blaine and Maturin discuss concerning Ireland?
10. What does Aubrey find when he gets home and what happens to him as he rides to Woolcombe?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
In addition to understanding the war in which O'Brian's novels are set, it is quite helpful to have a basic understanding of nautical terminology and the types of ships and their armaments that were used during the early 1800s. Discuss the following:
1. Define ten of the most commonly-used shipboard terms and discuss how those terms are used in The Hundred Days.
2. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the ships used in the early 1800s?
3. How is the British navy organized during this period (early 1800s) and how different do you think it is organized today (including how one rises in rank).
4. Compare/contrast one of the naval battles/hostile actions between two vessels described in the novel with one from WWII.
Essay Topic 2
At sea, the commander of a vessel is "God," and failure to obey the Captain's orders can subject one to court martial and even execution. Discuss the following:
1. Should sailors be held accountable for anything they do under orders? Discuss fully, using examples both from The Commodore and your own knowledge.
2. Why do you think mutiny on a ship is punishable by death?
3. Is there ever justification for a crew to mutiny?
4. Is it just for a captain to have that much power over his crew? What sort of abuses can this lead to?
Essay Topic 3
Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:
1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Patrick O'Brian.
2. What in O'Brian's background may have helped him in writing The Maze? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?
3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.
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This section contains 3,075 words (approx. 11 pages at 300 words per page) |
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