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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 Aubrey do with the cannons?

2. What does Raffles' wife ask of Aubrey?

3. Why does Maturin collapse?

4. After whom is Aubrey's new ship named?

5. What does Maturin hope the Cornélie will be without?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Aubrey plan for an attack on Cornélie?

2. Where does Li Po take the men and what important information Maturin gain along the on the trip?

3. How does Maturin help the effort to catch the Cornélie?

4. What does Maturin give Paulton for his help?

5. Describe the first attempt of the Nutmeg of Consolation to engage Cornélie.

6. What is Pullings response to an offer of command?

7. How do Maturin and Martin renew their acquaintance and what is Aubrey's response?

8. What does Cornélie do in response to the Nutmeg of Consolation fleeing the harbour?

9. Where does Maturin find Padeen Colman and what does Maturin do?

10. In what condition does Aubrey find the Surprise?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Many events that happen in The Nutmeg of Consolation are foreshadowed by previous events and/or signs. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "foreshadow."

2. Why would an author use foreshadowing? Do you think it adds or detracts from your experience as a reader? Explain.

3. Trace and analyze five instances of foreshadowing in The Nutmeg of Consolation. Match up what is mentioned earlier and what it foreshadows. Did you guess that each instance of foreshadowing was a "heads up" of something to come? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in The Nutmeg of Consolation.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of The Nutmeg of Consolation. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of The Nutmeg of Consolation. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

(see the answer keys)

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