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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 had Fox behaved?
2. What passes through the area?
3. Why do the sailors find Kesegaran interesting?
4. What does Maturin hope the Cornélie will be without?
5. What does Aubrey admire about the Captain of the Marines?
Short Essay Questions
1. Who does the Nutmeg of Consolation encounter and what do they learn?
2. Why does Maturin become irascible and the rats become vicious?
3. Why is Surprise spending so much time in port?
4. Who is John Paulton and what is he like?
5. With what is chapter 3 mostly concerned and why?
6. What does Maturin do with the girls?
7. Who is William Grimshaw and how does he help provide comic relief on board?
8. Describe Captain Jack Aubrey's physical attributes.
9. Compare the armament of the Cornélie with that of the HMS Nutmeg of Consolation.
10. Why is Aubrey and his crew marooned?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
During this era in which The Nutmeg of Consolation is set, there are strongly-adhered-to class distinctions. Aubrey and Maturin are both gentlemen. Discuss one of the following:
1. How do the divisions of class tend to make divisions among men? What are the advantages and disadvantages of a class-based society? What evidence is there of those advantages and disadvantages in The Nutmeg of Consolation?
2. In the English military of that era, nobles and gentlemen generally were the officers and very few of the working or peasant class could cross the line into officer territory. What would be the advantages and disadvantages of such a system?
3. Do you think there is a class system in the United States? Does it carry over to the military? Why or why not? (Some research may be required.)
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 The Nutmeg of Consolation qualifies as an 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 (early 1800s) is more or less advanced than you imagined? Explain.
Essay Topic 3
Discuss one of the following:
1. Trace and analyze the theme of manipulation and power in The Nutmeg of Consolation. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with manipulation and power? Why? What are some symbols of manipulation and power? Symbols of powerlessness? What characters seem powerless?
2. Trace and analyze the theme of war in The Nutmeg of Consolation. Why is Britain engaged in a war? What are some symbols of war that occur in the book? Is the war justified? Does Aubrey and (his crew perform with honor as warriors? Do you think their behavior to the enemy (first the Dyaks and then the French sailors) would be in accordance with the Geneva Conventions (you may need to research this)?
3. Trace and analyze the theme of death. How does the world of Aubrey's time seem to view death? Who tries to avoid killing? Who seems to kill for frivolous reasons? Who seems afraid of dying? Not afraid? Who meets death gracefully? In resignation? With joy? With fear?
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This section contains 1,046 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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