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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 experienced is Maturin in cricket?

2. Where is Aubrey to recover?

3. What do Aubrey and the Leopard crew volunteer to do?

4. What is an accurate description of Wallis?

5. Who expresses admiration for Aubrey's exploits and tenacity?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. 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?

4. Why is Aubrey depressed at the news of the war?

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

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

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 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?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Patrick O'Brian has tried as much as possible to use historical events and facts around which to weave his work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think this book qualifies as historical fiction? Why or why not?

2. If much of the events in the book are historical, what surprises you about the way the events play out?

3. Do you think the culture of that era is more or less advanced than you imagined? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Most of the entire series of novels concerning Captain Jack Aubrey takes place during the Napoleonic Wars; therefore understanding the political and social situation during that time helps to a greater understanding and appreciation of this book and others in the series. Discuss the following:

1. Research and write an expository essay about how the Napoleonic Wars begin and end.

2. Research and write an expository essay about the naval aspect of the Napoleonic Wars between Britain and France.

3. Compare/Contrast the importance of the British navy during the Napoleonic Wars to the importance of the British navy during either WWI or WWII.

4. Write an expository essay on how the Napoleonic War affects the social culture of one of the following countries: Britian, France, or Spain.

Essay Topic 3

In addition to understanding the war in which O'Brian's novels are set, it is quite helpful to have a basic understanding of nautical terminology and the types of ships and their armaments that were used during the early 1800s. Discuss the following:

1. Define ten of the most commonly-used shipboard terms and discuss how those terms are used in The Fortune of War.

2. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the ships used in the early 1800s?

3. How is the British navy organized during this period (early 1800s) and how different do you think it is organized today (including how one rises in rank).

4. Compare/contrast one of the naval battles described in the novel with one from WWII.

(see the answer keys)

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