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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 is Napoleon trying to conquer?

2. What is the state of Clonfert's ship?

3. What have the French been doing on the ocean that is a problem?

4. How does Aubrey feel about the captain of the Sirius?

5. What has been holding Napoleon back?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Aubrey have a chance to do?

2. What happens to Farquhar?

3. What does Aubrey have the crews doing on the voyage?

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

5. What has happened to Corbett?

6. What do the three men say about the captains of the other ships?

7. From whom does Aubrey receive a note and what does it ask and why does he laugh about it?

8. What does the armada do and how does that go? How do the people of Mauritius feel about the British?

9. What does Aubrey do after receiving his orders?

10. What does Clonfert do when Pym is doing something else?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Much attention is given to the treatment of both wounds and illnesses by Maturin and McAdam. Maturin, in particular seems to be far more advanced than the typical doctor of that era. Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast the medical remedies Maturin uses in Mauritius 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.

Essay Topic 2

Maturin acts as a covert agency for the Crown and spreads anti-French propaganda on both La Reunion and Maurtius. Discuss the following:

1. What sort of covert operations does Maturin undertake? How similar do you think his covert operations are to that of an organization such as the CIA of today?

2. How much does Maturin's covert operations affect the outcome of the capture of La Reunion and Maurtius?

3. Do you see any conflict of interests between being a doctor and also a covert operator? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

In addition to understanding the war in which O'Brian's novels are set, it is quite helpful to have a basic understanding of nautical terminology and the types of ships and their armaments that were used during the early 1800s. Discuss the following:

1. Define ten of the most commonly-used shipboard terms and discuss how those terms are used in Mauritius.

2. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the ships used in the early 1800s?

3. How is the British navy organized during this period (early 1800s) and how different do you think it is organized today (including how one rises in rank).

4. Compare/contrast one of the naval battles described in the novel with one from WWII.

(see the answer keys)

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