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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. Why does Maturin speak to a priest?

2. Why is Maturin going to marry Villiers?

3. What does Aubrey watch daily?

4. What does Maturin find among Johnson's papers?

5. What does Aubrey think about in relation to Broke?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. About what does Maturin caution Villiers and why do you think he does so?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When the Java is conquered by the USS Constitution, the sailors are put in prison while the officers are paroled and given freedom of movement. Discuss the following:

1. Is it fair that only officers are paroled? Why do you think this is the case back then?

2. Do you think the tradition of paroling Officers who are captured in war is still extant today? Why or why not?

3. What institution uses the concept of "parole" today and how does it work? Is it used on supposedly honorable people as it was back then?

Essay Topic 2

Though the author O'Brian may or may not have such personal views on women, the way women are characterized in his naval series is often less than complimentary. Discuss one of the following:

1. Present and analyze the treatment of women in THE FORTUNE OF WAR.

2. O'Brian is trying to be historically accurate, so is his treatment of women in his book(s) justified?

3. Is there any way O'Brian could have presented women in a more positive light and still stayed historically accurate? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of THE FORTUNE IN WAR.

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of THE FORTUNE IN WAR.

(see the answer keys)

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