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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 does the HMS Shannon do?

2. Where does Maturin drag the corpse(s)?

3. Who is Philip Broke?

4. What does Wogan attempt to convince Maturin to do?

5. Why does Maturin speak to a priest?

Short Essay Questions

1. Of what is George Herapath proud and what may be a little despicable about his attitude?

2. Why is Mr. Herapath so happy to hear that Villiers is leaving the United States?

3. What does Wogan attempt to persuade Maturin to agree to and how do you think he may feel about it?

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

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

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

7. 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?

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

9. How does Maturin figure out that he has been identified as the intelligence officer and what is the implication?

10. What romantic complications add to the complexity of the novel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Aubrey and his boat of men are finally rescued by the HMS Java, it is mentioned in passing that Raikes' body was gnawed upon--the suggestion is that one or more of the men ate some of Raikes' flesh to stave off starvation. Discuss one of the following:

1. What sort of actions are and are not justified in order to survive?

2. What are the psychological and mental characteristics do you think a person has to possess in order to survive under extreme circumstances?

3. Do you think you would survive an extreme situation? Why or why not? Discuss fully.

Essay Topic 2

Some discussion takes place throughout the novel about various Captains and their command style. Discuss the following:

1. Whose command style seems most effective? Why? Give examples.

2. Whose command style seems least effective? Why? Give examples.

3. Is mutiny ever justifiable? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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