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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 kind of Captain is Corbett known to be?

2. Who is feuding?

3. What does Aubrey have the squadron do continually?

4. What does Bertie give Aubrey permission to do?

5. How does Aubrey find life at home?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Farquhar?

2. How do the British officials at Cape Town feel about Aubrey's first naval action and what do they do there with the ships?

3. What ship joins the squadron? What do the captains discuss? Where does the squadron go when it leaves Cape Town?

4. Where does the squadron go after the ships are separated and what makes Aubrey angry?

5. What does Aubrey have a chance to do?

6. Describe the setting in the opening of the novel.

7. What does Pullings arrive in to help Aubrey and how does that turn out?

8. Why are England and France at war?

9. What happens when Corbett comes to help Aubrey?

10. What does Aubrey do about the tensions between Corbett and Clonfert?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

During this era when the book 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?

Essay Topic 2

McAdam, Maturin and Aubrey at various times discuss one of the captains, Clonfert, Maturin even to suggesting at one point that perhaps Clonfert is homosexual. Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast the attitude towards homosexuality in British culture of the early 1800's with today.

2. Clonfert is said to be well-loved by his men, though he is effeminate. Do you think the military should recruit and/or draft openly-professing homosexuals? Explain with examples.

3. The strictures against homosexuality in the Western world is based upon the Judeo-Christian-Islamic tradition from the Torah, Bible and Koran. In countries where there is a separation of religion from the State, does it make sense to base laws about homosexuality or any victimless behavior based on religious rather than psychological views? Take a stance and discuss fully.

Essay Topic 3

Some discussion takes place throughout the novel about various Captains and their command style. Discuss the following:

1. Whose command style seems most effective? Why? Give examples.

2. Whose command style seems least effective? Why? Give examples.

3. During the battle for Mauritius, sailors kill Caption Corbett and then fight as instructed under his second in command. Do you think these men were justified in their actions? Why or why not. Give examples.

4. Is mutiny ever justifiable? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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