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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 is Maturin doing on shore?

2. About what does Aubrey muse during his and Sophie's reunion?

3. Who is Mrs. Williams?

4. Who calls upon Aubrey shortly after he arrives home?

5. To whom does Maturin make his report?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Jack Aubrey.

2. Describe Stephen Maturin.

3. Where do Maturin and Villiers travel and what do they do?

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

5. Describe Sophie Aubrey.

6. What is the situation with Aubrey, Maturin and Villiers at the opening of THE SURGEON'S MATE?

7. Why is Aubrey particularly unhappy ashore?

8. What is Aubrey's homecoming like?

9. Who pursues the Diligence and what is the outcome?

10. How are the HMS Shannon's crew and passengers greeted in Halifax?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

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

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,511 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample