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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 is going to happen to the Leopard's crew?

2. How was the news disseminated?

3. Who does Aubrey call upon when he goes ashore?

4. Who have all taken passage in the same boat?

5. What is an accurate description of Wallis?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. Who is Mrs. Wogan and how does she figure in the previous novel, which is mentioned in the initial chapters of this novel?

3. Why do you think the HMS Leopard is being converted to a transport?

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

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

6. Why do the boats become separated and what are the advantages and disadvantages of that happening?

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

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

9. What are a couple other playful tongue-in-cheek type discussions that firmly entrench the fun tone of the novel?

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

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 2

Much attention is given to the treatment of both wounds and illnesses by Maturin, who seems to be far more advanced than the typical doctor of that era. Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast the medical remedies Maturin uses in The Fortune of War to that which would be done in our modern world.

2. Many wars are partially, if not completely, determined by factors other than the actual fighting. One of those factors is disease. Research and discuss how epidemics/pandemics have influenced the outcome of three different wars throughout history.

3. Discuss some of the medical remedies Maturin performs/uses that were probably not used in that era.

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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