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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 are in the letters to Sophie?

2. What about Maturin's collection most interests the crew?

3. Who calls upon Wallis?

4. What does Evans present to Maturin for Aubrey?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What are a couple signs that things are not going well for the men in the boat?

2. What tone for the novel is set and how is it set by the references to "Abraham"?

3. What do you think is a possible cause of La Flèche catching fire and exploding?

4. What do you think it means that Raikes' body was gnawed upon and do you think that is acceptable?

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

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

7. What does Maturin learn that explains the Navy's treatment of Aubrey?

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

9. What are some events that foreshadow the loss of the La Flèche at the end of Chapter 2?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Though the author O'Brian may or may not have such personal views on women, the way women are characterized in his naval series is often less than complimentary. Discuss one of the following:

1. Present and analyze the treatment of women in THE FORTUNE OF WAR.

2. O'Brian is trying to be historically accurate, so is his treatment of women in his book(s) justified?

3. Is there any way O'Brian could have presented women in a more positive light and still stayed historically accurate? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of THE FORTUNE IN WAR.

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of THE FORTUNE IN WAR.

Essay Topic 3

This story is a bit different from many others in O'Brian's series about Aubrey in that the war that is focused upon is that between the United States and Britain. Discuss the following:

1. If you are a citizen of the United States, how does it feel to be reading a book where the hero/protagonist is opposed to your country?

2. Did you find yourself supportive of Aubrey despite the fact that he is actually "the enemy" if you are a citizen of the U.S.?

3. How different do you think your response to this novel would be if the point of view were from the Captain of the USS Constitution or Chesapeake?

(see the answer keys)

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