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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 arrives at Aubrey's home in Chapter 4?

2. What does Aubrey say every man must do for his next objective?

3. What do Maturin and Martin do at an apothecary?

4. What happens to Diane immediately after she is captured?

5. How does Babbbington feel about Aubrey's plan?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Aubrey's plan for taking Diane?

2. Describe the taking of the Diane and what happens to her immediately afterward.

3. How does Maturin fix Aubrey and what does Aubrey say about the laudanum?

4. Maturin and Martin discuss literature and what? What does Maturin insist about tragedy?

5. Why does Aubrey encounter Babbington outside St. Martin's bay and what does Aubrey want from him?

6. What does Maturin ask about Diana and what does Sir Joseph tell him?

7. How is Aubrey greeted in England upon his return and what does Sir Joseph do for him?

8. Following Surprises first shakedown cruise when Maturin visits Sir Joseph, what does he find out about Wray and Ledward?

9. What happens while the crew struggle to free Diane? How is Aubrey injured?

10. How many ships does Aubrey capture and what happens to him as soon as they are captured?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Letter of Marque, like many, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why? not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of THE LETTER OF MARQUE and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why THE LETTER OF MARQUE is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. State what you think are three characteristics of a successful novel and whether or not THE LETTER OF MARQUE in your opinion is a successful novel.

Essay Topic 2

O'Brian's female characters are almost always peripheral to the story line of any of his novels. Discuss one of the following in view of O'Brian's female characters in THE LETTER OF MARQUE.

1. What type of reader demographics do you think THE LETTER OF MARQUE might appeal to given the limited scope of O'Brian's female characters. Use examples from THE LETTER OF MARQUE or other O'Brian books you have read to support your answer.

2. Do you think O'Brian's books would be better with more in depth female characters? Why or why not? Use examples from THE LETTER OF MARQUE or other O'Brian books you have read to support your answer.

3. Do you think the O'Brian's paucity of female characters reflects history in our reality? Discuss why it might be possible that females played more significant roles in history but were ignored by the primarily male historians through the ages.

Essay Topic 3

During this era when THE LETTER OF MARQUE 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)

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