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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 goes on for weeks?
2. What does Villiers' diamond necklace feature?
3. How is Villiers' appearance at the ball?
4. What was Maturin doing in America recently?
5. What is spreading like wildfire in the town where Shannon is docking?
Short Essay Questions
1. Who pursues the Diligence and what is the outcome?
2. What business does Maturin take care of while in Halifax?
3. What is Aubrey's homecoming like?
4. What is the first thing Aubrey does upon arriving back in England?
5. How do Aubrey, Maturin and Villiers each act once aboard the Diligence?
6. Why is Aubrey particularly unhappy ashore?
7. Describe the meeting and interaction between Aubrey and Amanda Smith.
8. Where does the Diligence arrive and what is the atmosphere of the town?
9. What happens in the encounter between Aubrey and several businessmen who call upon him?
10. How does Maturin pass the time at the ball?
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
THE SURGEON'S MATE, like many, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:
1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why? not?
2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of THE SURGEON'S MATE and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why THE SURGEON'S MATE is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.
3. State what you think are three characteristics of a successful novel and whether or not THE SURGEON'S MATE in your opinion is a successful novel.
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This section contains 1,118 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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