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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 is the name of the passenger the Tartarus carries who is a friend of Aubrey's and Maturin's?

2. What kind of work does Maturin do pro bono for the British Naval Intelligence service?

3. How does Maturin plan to use Surprise?

4. What ship closes with Surprise after a few days out in Chapter 2?

5. Why does Maturin walk to town?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Maturin do and where does he do it right after he buys her?

2. How does Padeen get injured and why does he continue to take pain medication?

3. What is Aubrey's situation at the beginning of THE LETTER OF MARQUE?

4. What is Aubrey concerned about in reference to his crew?

5. How does Maturin feel about money? What does he obtain to help him and Aubrey with Surprise?

6. What ship does Surprise raise at the end of the storm and what is that ship doing?

7. What kind of crew does Aubrey obtain and why?

8. What type of work does Maturin do and for what is he also known?

9. What does the escape of Wray and Ledward lead Maturin to believe?

10. What ship closes with Surprise that is captained by a friend of Aubrey's and who is the passenger it has? What happens when the two ships meet?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Patrick O'Brian tries as much as possible to use historical events and facts around which to weave his work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think THE LETTER OF MARQUE qualifies as an historical fiction? Why or why not?

2. If much of the events in THE LETTER OF MARQUE are historical, what surprises you about the way the events play out?

3. Do you think the culture of that era is more or less advanced than you imagined? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

The Letter of Marque is one book in a series of novels involving Captain Aubrey and Dr. Maturin. Discuss the following?

1. What is one advantage of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.

2. What is a disadvantage of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.

3. Do you prefer to read a standalone book, or a series of books with the same main characters? Explain your response.

4. Do you think it is easier or more difficult (or about the same) to write a standalone book versus one in a series? Explain your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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