View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What ship does Herapath intend to use to help Aubrey?

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

3. What causes Maturin to flee through the streets of Boston to Villiers' hotel?

4. Who is a private citizen with connections to American intelligence?

5. Who intervenes in Maturin's almost abduction?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How does Maturin explain his engagement to Villiers to Aubrey and what does this engagement say about Maturin's character?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Along with superstitions, the ships crew seem to find mystical meanings in various symbols. Discuss the following:

1. What are six symbols in THE FORTUNE IN WAR and their meanings. Are the meanings logical or based upon superstitions?

2. Discuss three metaphors in the novel and their impact on the understanding of the plot.

3. Discuss O'Brian's narrative style as it applies to his descriptions. Is his style effective? Interesting? Lively?

Essay Topic 2

Though this novel is probably more action driven rather than character driven, obviously there are several characters who make the novel what it is. Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Aubrey and Lambert.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Maturin and McLean.

3. Thoroughly analyze the character of Jack Aubrey, discussing both his strong and weak points and how both affect the outcome of the plot.

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)

This section contains 1,134 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample