View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Allen discuss at great length?

2. What is running low on the ship?

3. Why is Nagel lashed?

4. Who recognizes Aubrey and Maturin on the ship the Surprise encounters?

5. What does Higgins begin to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What factions exist among the Americans?

2. What happens when Maturin and Aubrey return to the Surprise?

3. What are some of the things the crew does to while away the time?

4. What happens to Mrs. Horner and what does Maturin realize?

5. Who is Midshipman Hollom, and what does Aubrey do concerning the man?

6. With whom does Aubrey meet in Gibraltar and what is the rumor about him and Mrs. Fielding?

7. Whom does Surprise encounter and what do they send with them?

8. What does Maturin learn about HMS Danaë?

9. What happens when Maturin comes on deck during a storm?

10. What does Aubrey brood as Surprise approaches the equator?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often in O'Brian's series involving Jack Aubrey, his ship and/or life is saved by extraordinary means. Discuss the following:

1. Research and define the literary term "narrative contrivance."

2. Identify and analyze a time in The Far Side of the World when O'Brian makes free use of the technique of narrative contrivance to save Aubrey and his ship or to set up a subplot.

3. Does the use of narrative contrivance diminish the impact of the plot? The believability of the storyline?

4. Is there any other way O'Brian could have a mixture of suspense and action while at the same time making certain the main characters are not killed?

Essay Topic 2

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as The Far Side of the World help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading The Far Side of the World? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in The Far Side of the World to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of The Far Side of the World and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of The Far Side of the World and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable? If so, which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 3,046 words (approx. 11 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample