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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 does Maturin call tormina?

2. Who does Aubrey go to see?

3. With what does Bertie entrust Aubrey?

4. Why is Aubrey receiving only half pay?

5. Who is Colonel Keating?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Aubrey do when he discovers he needs help? How does he feel about the response?

2. What does the British squadron do to the French, how long does it last and why does it stop?

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

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

5. What does Aubrey have the crew doing as they travel and why?

6. Why are England and France at war?

7. Who comes to visit Aubrey at the beginning of the novel? What does the person do and how long has it been since they've seen each other?

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

9. What does Maturin do in Cape Town?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Though this novel is probably more action driven rather than character driven, obviously there are several characters who make the novel what it is. Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Clonfert and Corbett.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of McAdam and Maturin.

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 2

Patrick O'Brian has tried as much as possible to use historical events and facts around which to weave his work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think this book qualifies as historical fiction? Why or why not?

2. If much of the events in the book are historical, what surprises you about the way the events play out?

3. Do you think the culture of that era is more or less advanced than you imagined? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Clonfert holds Aubrey in high regard but also feels professional rivalry that occasionally borders on outright hostility. This continues throughout the novel, seriously clouds Clonfert's judgment, and drives Clonfert into a suicidal attack toward the end of the novel. Discuss the following:

1. Is professional rivalry between commanders on the same "side" helpful or harmful to the goal of winning a battle and/or war? Explain using examples from the book.

2. Competition in many forms is an acceptable state in most cultures. Do you think competition is a positive attribute of our culture? Explain with examples.

3. What happens when competition becomes obsession? Give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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