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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. Who is the first man to die?

3. Where does the Constitution lead Java?

4. How experienced is Maturin in cricket?

5. What is an accurate description of Wallis?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. What happens at the cricket match when Maturin joins the game and what tone does it set?

3. 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?

4. Do you think it would be difficult for the men to stay optimistic if after spotting a ship but they do not see you?

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

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

7. What do you think it means that the officers are paroled and why is this so?

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

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

Maturin acts as a covert agency for the Crown and in the previous book, gives Wogan false intelligence that results in several French intelligence agents being killed as double agents. Discuss the following:

1. What sort of covert operations does Maturin undertake? How similar do you think his covert operations are to that of an organization such as the CIA of today?

2. How much does Maturin's covert operations how he and Aubrey fare in Boston after being captured by the Americans?

3. Do you see any conflict of interests between being a doctor and also a covert operator? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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