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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. How is the man in question #83 described?

2. What will Surprise's boats do according to Aubrey's plan?

3. What does Surprise do first to prepare for taking Diane?

4. Where does Aubrey return in Chapter 5?

5. Why is Aubrey technically under Babbington's command?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Why is Aubrey driven to succeed in taking Diane?

5. What happens when the ship is finally freed?

6. How does Babbington respond to Aubrey's request?

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

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

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

10. How did the crew respond to Aubrey's orders concerning the incident in question #31?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast Aubrey's seamanship with that of Babbington.

2. Thoroughly analyze the character of Maturin, discussing both his strong and weak points and how both affect the outcome of the plot.

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

Aubrey learns from Maturin that what he had perceived as a kick in the small of the back is actually a pistol ball--or bullet--lodged near his spine. In an excruciatingly painful but successful operation Maturin removes the ball. Much attention is given to the treatment of both wounds and illnesses by Maturin. Maturin seems far more advanced than the typical doctor of that era. Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast the medical remedies Maturin uses in THE LETTER OF MARQUE to that which would be done in our modern world.

2. Many wars are partially, if not completely, determined by factors other than the actual fighting. One of those factors is disease. Research and discuss how epidemics/pandemics have influenced the outcome of three different wars throughout history.

3. Discuss some of the medical remedies Maturin performs/uses that were probably not used in that era.

(see the answer keys)

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