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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 are the men on the Néréide responding to their Captain?

2. What does Maturin do on the first island on which he goes ashore?

3. What does Aubrey use his station of commodore to do?

4. Who has been captured?

5. How does Aubrey find life at home?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Aubrey do with his pennant and what does Bertie tell him?

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

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

4. Where does the squadron go when it leaves Cape Town and what does Maturin do there?

5. Describe the people who live with Aubrey.

6. Why does Maturin go ashore at Mauritius and what information does he use?

7. What do Maturin and McAdam do at Cape Town?

8. What is Bertie's attitude towards Aubrey and what does he do?

9. What does Aubrey learn about the French garrison?

10. Who joins Clonfert and what does he do? What happens to two English frigates with them?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Most of the entire series of novels concerning Captain Jack Aubrey takes place during the Napoleonic Wars; 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 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 naval aspect of the Napoleonic Wars between Britain and France.

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: Britian, France, or Spain.

Essay Topic 2

Though the author O'Brian may or may not have such personal views on women, the way women are characterized in his naval series is often less than complimentary. Discuss one of the following:

1. Present and analyze the treatment of women in Maurtius Command.

2. O'Brian is trying to be historically accurate, so is his treatment of women in his book(s) justified?

3. Is there any way O'Brian could have presented women in a more positive light and still stayed historically accurate? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

It seems that though several of the Captains are quite capable and competent, their personal character defects affect either the outcome of a battle or impact their personal lives. Discuss the following:

1. How does Pym's character defect(s) affect the outcome of an important naval battle? Should he be disciplined for his actions?

2. How does Clonfert's character defect(s) affect the outcome of an important military operation?

3. How does Aubrey's character defect(s) affect his personal life?

4. Is it likely to find a group of men (or women) in command who would not have fairly strong egos that could impact their decisions?

(see the answer keys)

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