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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. Who will crew the two captured French ships?

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

3. What is Napoleon trying to conquer?

4. Why doesn't Aubrey have a command?

5. What two ships does Aubrey capture the first few days of his voyage?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What French ship does Aubrey encounter and what does he do with it? How does Aubrey feel about his actions?

4. What has Pym done and how does Clonfert act when he hears? What does Clonfert decide to do?

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

6. What does Aubrey learn about the French garrison?

7. With whom do Aubrey and Maturin spend most of their time aboard the frigate and how does Aubrey feel about this man?

8. Where is the French fleet and other French ships? What does Aubrey's squadron do and who does Maturin meet on Rodriguez?

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

10. What does Maturin write about in his journal and what does he continue to use?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Maturin insists that the local citizens are not harmed during the conquest of La Reunion. Discuss one of the following:

1. How often do you think "innocent" civilians are killed during a war or conflict?

2. Is it immoral to harm non-combatants during a conflict? What if those non-combatants support their government's policies about the war/conflict?

3. In WWII, the US government targeted two cities in Japan with atomic bombs. The targets were not military targets and the intent was to kill as many people as possible, no matter their age, sex, or status. Is this an acceptable way to end a war?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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