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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. How does the Berenice help Surprise?

2. Why do Ringle and Surprise stay with Berenice?

3. Who does Maturin first visit upon arrival in London?

4. With whom does Killick have an altercation?

5. About what does Aubrey express anxiety?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens in the dinner with Maturin?

2. What does Stephen ask of Aubrey and what is his response?

3. Why has Aubrey's dark mood returned?

4. What does Ringle spot and what does Aubrey decide to do?

5. Where is Dundas during some bad weather?

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

7. Who is Whewell and how can he help in the fleet's mission?

8. What does Maturin say about Sarah and Emily?

9. Why does the fleet put in at St. Thomas and what happens there between two officers.

10. What happens as Stephen rides to Portsmouth?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Commodore, like many, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why? not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of The Commodore and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

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

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.

(see the answer keys)

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