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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. Who is Philip Broke?

2. Who does Maturin shoot dead?

3. Who is Caroline?

4. Whose throat does Maturin slit with a scalpel?

5. What happens to Villiers?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is humorous about Aubrey's daily observations of the bay?

2. How does George Herapath's attitude towards Wogan seem ironic or hypocritical?

3. 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?

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

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

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

7. Why does Maturin hedge about being an agent even though he has no intention of accepting the position?

8. What do you think is interesting about the fact that Johnson spends large sums of money and time gathering intelligence for the United States and is it likely that someone would do that in this age?

9. Why do you think Aubrey feels it is justified to violate his "parole," which he gives as an officer and gentleman?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Aubrey arrives in Boston and leaves the USS Constitution, Evans presents a purse of money to Aubrey, which is a collection taken up among the men. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think the "enemy" gives Aubrey money, when likely they had not much themselves?

2. What do you think prompts generosity to strangers?

3. Do you think more people are generous to homeless persons collecting money on street corners or to more structured charities? Defend your answer.

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

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.

(see the answer keys)

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