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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 type of cargo is the Azul carrying?

2. What other medical problem does Padeen develop?

3. What kind of addiction does Maturin have?

4. Why did Surprise catch Merlin easily?

5. Why does Aubrey think work is done better by privately-funded operations than the government?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How does Aubrey feel about the efficiency of the work on Surprise and why?

4. What does Aubrey do about the ship they raise near the end of the storm? What does Maturin find out from a man on the ship?

5. What do Maturin and Martin do after they join the ship's company and how does Aubrey feel there? What happens to encourage Aubrey?

6. To what is Maturin addicted and who discusses it with him?

7. 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?

8. Why is Maturin late for Surprise's sailing?

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

10. What is one of the primary talks at the formal dinner aboard ship the night before sailing?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

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 Maturin. How are they similar? How are they different? Would you consider one of them a stronger character than the other? How does each of them add to the story?

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Maturin and Sir Joseph. How are they similar? How are they different? Would you consider one of them a stronger character than the other? How does each of them add to the story?

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

Often in O'Brian's series involving Jack Aubrey, his ship and/or life is saved by extraordinary means. Discuss the following:

1. Identify and analyze a time in The Letter of Marque when O'Brian makes free use of the technique of narrative contrivance to save Aubrey and his ship.

2. Does the use of narrative contrivance diminish the impact of the plot? The believability of the storyline?

3. Is there any other way O'Brian could have a mixture of suspense and action while at the same time making certain the main characters are not killed?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 955 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample