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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 course of action makes sense?
2. How does what the Leopard men do help the Java?
3. What civilian is on board the ship?
4. What does Maturin realize?
5. Who rescues Aubrey from making a serious faux pas?
Short Essay Questions
1. Why do you think the HMS Leopard is being converted to a transport?
2. Why is Aubrey depressed at the news of the war?
3. What are a couple other playful tongue-in-cheek type discussions that firmly entrench the fun tone of the novel?
4. Who is Mrs. Wogan and how does she figure in the previous novel, which is mentioned in the initial chapters of this novel?
5. Why is it somewhat miraculous that the HMS Leopard pulls into Pulo Batang successfully?
6. Why do you think Aubrey argues so strenuously to retain his lieutenants and midshipmen?
7. What are some events that foreshadow the loss of the La Flèche at the end of Chapter 2?
8. Why do you think the sailors on board La Flèche do not take the war with the United States very seriously?
9. 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?
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
The Fortune of War is one book in a series of novels involving Captain Aubrey and Dr. Maturin. Discuss the following?
1. What is one advantage of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.
2. What is a disadvantage of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.
3. Do you prefer to read a standalone book, or a series of books with the same main characters? Explain your response.
4. Do you think it is easier or more difficult (or about the same) to write a standalone book versus one in a series? Explain your answer.
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
Aubrey is interviewed by several obnoxious agents from the Navy who accuse him of various war crimes. He is thought to be a spy and the one who gives Wogan false intelligence. Discuss the following:
1. How many countries do you think have spies?
2. Why do you think spies are thought to be both necessary and yet they are despised?
3. Would you ever be willing to be a spy for your country?
4. A spy is not protected under the Geneva conventions. Why do you think that is?
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This section contains 1,055 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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