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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 about Maturin's collection most interests the crew?
2. What course of action makes sense?
3. How does what the Leopard men do help the Java?
4. What helps the dehydration a little?
5. Who is Wallis?
Short Essay Questions
1. What are a couple signs that things are not going well for the men in the boat?
2. What are a couple other playful tongue-in-cheek type discussions that firmly entrench the fun tone of the novel?
3. What happens at the cricket match when Maturin joins the game and what tone does it set?
4. Why is it somewhat miraculous that the HMS Leopard pulls into Pulo Batang successfully?
5. 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?
6. 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?
7. Why do you think Aubrey argues so strenuously to retain his lieutenants and midshipmen?
8. What tone for the novel is set and how is it set by the references to "Abraham"?
9. What does Maturin learn that explains the Navy's treatment of Aubrey?
10. Why do you think the USS Constitution leads the Java on a long chase to sea?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
There is a rather complicated romantic triangle (polyhedron might be a better description) of Johnson and Villiers, Johnson and Wogan, Wogan and Herapath, and Villiers and Maturin. Discuss the following:
1. Why do you think Wogan is with Herapath? Why would she desire to be with Johnson?
2. How does Villiers come to be with Johnson and accepting American citizenship? Is this a wise move on her part?
3. Why is revealed about Johnson in his public life that should make a woman think twice (or more) times before becoming Romantically involved with Johnson?
4. Do you think Villiers appreciates the sacrifice Maturin is willing to make?
Essay Topic 2
During this era when the book takes place, if a vessel under the command of a naval officer captures another vessel from a country with whom they are warring or captures a pirate vessel, etc., the crew of the victorious vessel shares in the goods, money and value of the vessel. Discuss the following:
1. Why do you think the British had such a policy in place then?
2. What are the possible abuses that can arise from such a policy?
3. Why do you think this policy is eventually abandoned?
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?
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This section contains 1,194 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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