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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. Who are the men responsible for Aubrey's circumstances in England?
2. Why are the two men from question # 42 not in England?
3. Why did West receive a court martial?
4. What is the ship, Merlin, they encounter in Chapter 3?
5. How does Maturin plan to use Surprise?
Short Essay Questions
1. What is the final outcome of Aubrey's shakedown cruise?
2. How does Maturin feel about money? What does he obtain to help him and Aubrey with Surprise?
3. What alleviates Aubrey's concerns in question #17?
4. What is one of the primary talks at the formal dinner aboard ship the night before sailing?
5. What does the escape of Wray and Ledward lead Maturin to believe?
6. 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?
7. What ship first approaches Surprise on Aubrey's first shakedown cruise and why? How does Aubrey feel about the authorization Maturin has?
8. What is Aubrey concerned about in reference to his crew?
9. Who does Maturin see as Aubrey waits on him for sailing?
10. What ship does Surprise raise at the end of the storm and what is that ship doing?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
THE LETTER OF MARQUE is set in England during 1813, or a fictional extension of that year during the Napoleonic wars between England and France: therefore understanding the political and social situation during that time helps to a greater understanding and appreciation of this book and others in the series. Discuss one of the following:
1. Research and write an expository essay about how the Napoleonic Wars begin and end.
2. Research and write an expository essay about the battles that take place in the naval war between Britain and France during the Napoleonic Wars.
3. Compare/Contrast the importance of the British navy during the Napoleonic Wars to the importance of the British navy during either WWI or WWII.
4. Write an expository essay on how the Napoleonic War affects the social culture of one of the following countries: Britain, France, or Germany.
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
Surprise captures two American privateers and their five prizes. One of the privateers contained the entire considerable treasure of the Spanish ship Azul. Though Spain and England are allies against France and America, at this point in history, the fact that the American ship had transferred the cargo and the Spanish officers had deserted their sinking ship makes the quicksilver Aubrey's legal prize.
Not only is Great Britian engaged in a war against France and Napoleon's allies, it is at the time of THE LETTER OF MARQUE engaged in a war with the United States, later named the War of 1812. Discuss the following:
1. What is the War of 1812 and why does it occur? Do you think the British or Americans are most to blame for the problems that engender the war? to which side does O'Brian show the most sympathy?
2. How does it feel if you are from the United States to read about a war from the perspective of the "enemy"? How does that affect your reactions to the events in the book?
3. What do you think are the unique problems for Great Britain in being engaged in wars on two different fronts? Do you think Great Britain was unwise in not settling the issues with the United States rather than going to war? Why or why not.
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This section contains 1,098 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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