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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 will the French squadron really sail for?

2. Where would Dundas end up if he returns to England empty handed?

3. About what does Sophie speak to Maturin?

4. How does Aubrey respond to Maturin's request?

5. Why does Captain Thomas refuse to speak to Maturin soon after the dinner starts?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Maturin tell Aubrey about Diana and Brigid?

2. What does Aubrey find when he gets home and what happens to him as he rides to Woolcombe?

3. What does Sir Blaine tell Maturin about Aubrey's next assignment?

4. What happens at the officer's mess that almost starts a fight?

5. How does Stephen relieve Jack's anxiety about Parson Hinksey?

6. What happens when Maturin meets with his two assistants?

7. What is the significance of the fact that a slave ship fires upon his raiders?

8. What happens as Stephen rides to Portsmouth?

9. How long is Maturin ill and what is the fleet doing when he returns to consciousness?

10. What does Aubrey learn when he opens his orders and what does he ask Maturin concerning the orders?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss The Commodore based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if it is a successful novel. Explain your rationale with specific examples.

3. Do you think the fact that The Commodore falls within the genre of historical fiction changes the criteria upon which its success should be judged? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Define irony in literary terms. Discuss two ironic situations that occur in The Commodore.

2. Define symbolism in literary terms. Discuss the use and meaning of five symbols you choose to analyze from The Commodore. What do they symbolize? Is the symbolism obvious? Effective? Does the symbolism contribute to the enjoyment of reading?

3. Discuss five literary devices that occur in The Commodore and how they are used. Are they effective? Do they add or detract from the reading of the book? Why or why not. Some possible techniques: Allusion, connotation, denouement, dialogue, flashback, figurative language, motif, metaphor, narrator, point of view, simile, mood, and puns.

Essay Topic 3

Most protagonists are a mixture of admirable traits and character flaws, and both Maturin and Aubrey are no exceptions.

1. Trace and analyze situations when Maturin and Aubrey each demonstrates his admirable traits. Give specific examples to illustrate your analysis.

2. Trace and analyze both Maturin and Aubrey's character flaws, and explain how the flaws create more complex and believable characters. How do you think either man's character flaws make some situations more difficult for him?

3. After analyzing each man's strengths and weaknesses, decide if each man is an appropriate "hero" of the story. Is there anyone else who might be a more admirable "hero"?

(see the answer keys)

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