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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 many times have the Americans encountered the British?

2. What do the survivors do on the way to Brazil?

3. How was the news disseminated?

4. What do the men do to the food and water in the boat?

5. What do the sailors believe when they encounter a vessel?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do you think Aubrey argues so strenuously to retain his lieutenants and midshipmen?

2. Why is it somewhat miraculous that the HMS Leopard pulls into Pulo Batang successfully?

3. Why would the men welcome being on board the HMS Java though it is quite crammed with people?

4. What answers Aubrey's unspoken question as to why the Captain of the Java does not first engage in long-range gunfire before closing to board?

5. Who is Mrs. Wogan and how does she figure in the previous novel, which is mentioned in the initial chapters of this novel?

6. Why do you think it would be a serious faux pas to not attend the Captain's table to which one is invited in order to manage one's specimens as Maturin almost does?

7. Do you think it is helpful for the author to present some background information from other books in the series, particularly the one just preceding this one?

8. What surprises Aubrey once he is quartered at Asclepia?

9. Why do you think the HMS Leopard is being converted to a transport?

10. How would you respond to being in open sea in an eighteen-foot boat with twelve other people?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sailors are notoriously superstitious. Even Aubrey, though very bright in many ways, is somewhat superstitious, a trait common to many sailors. Discuss the following:

1. What is superstition? Can you name a few common superstitions? Do any of them seem to have any validity in logic?

2. Why do you think sailors have the reputation for being superstitious? Do you think it is true? What superstitions are mentioned in THE FORTUNE OF WAR?

3. What are some of the superstitions you are familiar with that sailors seem to believe? Do you believe any of them? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Along with superstitions, the ships crew seem to find mystical meanings in various symbols. Discuss the following:

1. What are six symbols in THE FORTUNE IN WAR and their meanings. Are the meanings logical or based upon superstitions?

2. Discuss three metaphors in the novel and their impact on the understanding of the plot.

3. Discuss O'Brian's narrative style as it applies to his descriptions. Is his style effective? Interesting? Lively?

Essay Topic 3

When Aubrey and his boat of men are finally rescued by the HMS Java, it is mentioned in passing that Raikes' body was gnawed upon--the suggestion is that one or more of the men ate some of Raikes' flesh to stave off starvation. Discuss one of the following:

1. What sort of actions are and are not justified in order to survive?

2. What are the psychological and mental characteristics do you think a person has to possess in order to survive under extreme circumstances?

3. Do you think you would survive an extreme situation? Why or why not? Discuss fully.

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