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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. What do the girls adopt as pets?
2. What does Aubrey offer to Maturin?
3. What does Aubrey signal Pullings to do?
4. What does Aubrey hope the Captain on the Cornélie will believe?
5. What information does the Captain of the Dutch ship provide?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Most protagonists are a mixture of admirable traits and character flaws, and both Maturin and Aubrey are no exceptions.
1. Trace and analyze situations when Maturin and Aubrey each demonstrates his admirable traits. Give specific examples to illustrate your analysis.
2. Trace and analyze both Maturin and Aubrey's character flaws, and explain how the flaws create more complex and believable characters. How do you think either man's character flaws make some situations more difficult for him?
3. After analyzing each man's strengths and weaknesses, decide if each man is an appropriate "hero" of the story. Is there anyone else who might be a more admirable "hero"?
Essay Topic 2
In the world of academe, historical fiction is often considered an inferior form of the novel compared to "classic" literature. Discuss the following:
1. Why do you think historical fiction might be considered second-rate compared to the classics?
2. Do you think historical fiction has the same elements as the classics? Why or why not?
3. What are the purposes do you think for people reading "the classics"? What are the purposes for people reading historical fiction? Is one purpose better than another? Explain your response.
4. Would you read historical fiction even outside an educational setting? Why or why not?
Essay Topic 3
Captain Jack Aubrey is in some ways a larger-than-life hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, in The Nutmeg of Consolation and in the other books in the series. Discuss the following:
1. Does having a larger-than-life hero make that person less of a hero? In other words, which is more admirable--a hero who ultimately always "lands on his feet," or one who strives against impossible odds and doesn't succeed?
2. Does a character have to be successful in order to be a hero? Explain your answer.
3. Choose one other character besides Aubrey who you might call a hero/heroine and explain why you choose that person.
4. Does every work of fiction have to have a hero? Explain your answer.
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This section contains 503 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) |
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