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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 does Aubrey act at the ball?

2. How does Smith find Aubrey to be?

3. What is Maturin doing on shore?

4. What happens to one of the American schooners that delays their pursuit?

5. Where are the wounded transferred?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does the Diligence arrive and what is the atmosphere of the town?

2. What does Villiers confide in Maturin and how does he respond?

3. What is Maturin's interest in Villiers and why?

4. Why are Maturin, Aubrey and Villiers anxiously awaiting Captain Broke's recovery?

5. What is one of Villier's prized possessions and how does she come by it?

6. What battle did Aubrey recently participate in and what was the outcome?

7. Describe Amanda Smith.

8. Describe Sophie Aubrey.

9. How does Maturin pass the time at the ball?

10. What is the first thing Aubrey does upon arriving back in England?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Not only is Great Britian engaged in a war against France and Napoleon's allies, it is at the time of THE SURGEON'S MATE engaged in a war with the United States, later named the War of 1812. Discuss the following:

1. What is the War of 1812 and why does it occur? Do you think the British or Americans are most to blame for the problems that engender the war? Which side does O'Brian show the most sympathy?

2. How does it feel if you are from the United States to read about a war from the perspective of the "enemy"? How does that affect your reactions to the events in the book?

3. What do you think are the unique problems for Great Britain in being engaged in wars on two different fronts? Do you think Great Britain was unwise in not settling the issues with the United States rather than going to war? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 2

Villiers leaves Maturin for Johnson, travels to America, and renounces her British citizenship. Throughout this period, Maturin sufferes a fairly deep depression and manages his emotion by withdrawal and opium addiction. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think the use of opium is not regulated as it is today?

2. Do you think it is a more or less enlightened society that regulates personal drug use? Explain.

3. Do you think the execution of Maturin's duties are compromised by his frequent use of opium? Why or why not? Give examples from the text.

Essay Topic 3

Aubrey is an officer and a gentleman and is therefore accorded more respect and trust even in enemy territory than the common sailor. Discuss the following:

1. Does it seem likely that officers are usually more respectable than enlisted men back then? What about today? Why or why not.

2. Aubrey has an adulterous affair with Amanda Smith in Halifax. Do you think this is how an officer and gentleman comports himself? Why or why not.

3. In the present military in the United States, both officers and enlisted can be held for court martial for adultery or having sexual relations with someone of inferior rank. Why do you think this is so? Do you agree with the policy?

4. In the time in which THE SURGEON'S MATE is set, an officer's word was assumed to always be good; whereas a non-officer was not considered trustworthy. What is the flaw in this standard? Do you think it affects them moral and/or morals of non-officers? How?

(see the answer keys)

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