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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Aubrey think of the Surprise?

2. What does the crew think is rather odd?

3. What happens a few hours after the dinner ends?

4. What does the Cornélie's captain realize?

5. To where are Triton and the American prizes being escorted?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Maturin acts as a covert agency for the Crown and uses his intelligence connections to slow down Cornélie's resupplying in order to give The Nutmeg of Consolation a chance to catch up and capture the French vessel.

1. What sort of covert operations does Maturin undertake? How similar do you think his covert operations are to that of an organization such as the CIA of today?

2. How much does Maturin's covert operations effect good outcomes for the The Nutmeg of Consolation and other British endeavors during The Nutmeg of Consolation?

3. Do you see any conflict of interests between being a doctor and also a covert operator? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Define irony in literary terms. Discuss the irony of the situation of when Maturin spends a great deal of time contemplating his new poverty-stricken status when he is actually as wealthy as always.

2. Define symbolism in literary terms. Discuss the use and meaning of five symbols you choose to analyze from The Nutmeg of Consolation. What do they symbolize? Is the symbolism obvious? Effective? Does the symbolism contribute to the enjoyment of reading?

3. Discuss five literary devices that occur in The Nutmeg of Consolation and how they are used. Are they effective? Do they add or detract from the reading of the book? Why or why not. Some possible techniques: Allusion, connotation, denouement, dialogue, flashback, figurative language, motif, metaphor, narrator, point of view, simile, mood, and puns.

Essay Topic 3

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 The Nutmeg of Consolation.

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/hostile actions between two vessels described in the novel with one from WWII.

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