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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. With what is Aubrey threatened?
2. What is the name of one of the American schooners that converges on the ship where Maturin, Aubrey and Villiers are?
3. How does Aubrey treat Smith?
4. What impresses Smith about Aubrey?
5. Why do Smith and Aubrey leave the ball?
Short Essay Questions
1. Describe Jack Aubrey.
2. What is the situation with Aubrey, Maturin and Villiers at the opening of THE SURGEON'S MATE?
3. Why is Aubrey particularly unhappy ashore?
4. What does Villiers confide in Maturin and how does he respond?
5. What is Aubrey's homecoming like?
6. How do Aubrey, Maturin and Villiers each act once aboard the Diligence?
7. What battle did Aubrey recently participate in and what was the outcome?
8. How are the HMS Shannon's crew and passengers greeted in Halifax?
9. What is Maturin's interest in Villiers and why?
10. Describe Sophie Aubrey.
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 Jack Aubrey is no exception. Aubrey's insight and a nearly infallible instinct tends to carry him through the various perils he encounters.
1. Trace and analyze situations when Aubrey demonstrates his instinct for handling problems at sea. Give specific examples to illustrate your analysis.
2. Trace and analyze Aubrey's character flaws, especially his ineptness on land, with business ventures and wandering eye as far as women are concerned.
3. Discuss how you think Aubrey's admirable traits helped him obtain a high rank in the Navy? How does Aubrey hide his character flaws so they have not impeded his career. Do any of those under his command seem to notice these flaws? Who? How does the reader know this?
Essay Topic 2
Captain Jack Aubrey is in some ways a larger-than-life hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, in this book and in the others 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.
Essay Topic 3
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 SURGEON'S MATE 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.
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This section contains 1,248 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) |
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