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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. About what does the Navy department interview Aubrey?

2. What do Aubrey and Herapath plan?

3. Who is Caroline?

4. Who intervenes in Maturin's almost abduction?

5. Who is Maturin calling upon when he is assaulted?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Mr. Herapath's task in the scheme to effect an escape for Villiers, Aubrey and Maturin and how does he fail at it? What does this say about Mr. Herapath?

2. What happens that even in the midst of the drama of escape is humorous?

3. Who is Harry Johnson and what is his connection to Wogan?

4. Why does Maturin think Wogan does not know he disseminated bad intelligence and what do you think he should do about it?

5. What does Maturin find in Johnson's papers and what is the implication?

6. Why would Maturin and Johnson have a discussion about birds and how does this discussion enhance the playful tone of the novel?

7. How does Villiers seem to Maturin and what actions has she taken that were unwise?

8. How does Michael Herapath earn a living and why is this odd?

9. Who ambushes Maturin and what is humorous about his actions?

10. What does Maturin do that seems contrary to his work as a doctor?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Captain Jack Aubrey is in some ways a larger-than-life hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, in this book and in the others in the series. Discuss the following:

1. Does having a larger-than-life hero make that person less of a hero? In other words, which is more admirable--a hero who ultimately always "lands on his feet," or one who strives against impossible odds and doesn't succeed?

2. Does a character have to be successful in order to be a hero? Explain your answer.

3. Choose one other character besides Aubrey who you might call a hero/heroine and explain why you choose that person.

4. Does every work of fiction have to have a hero? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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