Print
Word
PDF
|
| Name: _________________________ | Period: ___________________ |
This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. What happens to the crew on that schooner?
2. What is spreading like wildfire in the town where Shannon is docking?
3. What does Villiers' diamond necklace feature?
4. What scares Smith as she and Aubrey walk outside?
5. What is the relationship between Harry Johnson and Villiers?
Short Essay Questions
1. What is the first thing Aubrey does upon arriving back in England?
2. What happens in the encounter between Aubrey and several businessmen who call upon him?
3. Describe the meeting and interaction between Aubrey and Amanda Smith.
4. Describe Sophie Aubrey.
5. Describe Amanda Smith.
6. Describe Diana Villiers.
7. Who pursues the Diligence and what is the outcome?
8. What is Maturin's interest in Villiers and why?
9. Why are Maturin, Aubrey and Villiers anxiously awaiting Captain Broke's recovery?
10. What is the situation with Aubrey, Maturin and Villiers at the opening of THE SURGEON'S MATE?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
There are a number of instances of foreshadowing in THE SURGEON'S MATE. Many, readers will suspect hint at something to come; others, the readers may not be aware until the event which is foreshadowed occurs. Discuss the following:
1. Define the literary term foreshadow. Why do you think authors foreshadow a future event? What might be a reader's reaction to a sudden tragic or wonderful event if there were no hints whatsoever that it might occur?
2. Find four events that are foreshadowed in previous chapters and pair up the foreshadowing text with the event. Analyze each event to include the following: What is foreshadowed? Is the method O'Brian uses to foreshadow effective? Did you guess when a particular text was foreshadowing a future event? Did you guess what the event is?
3. Along with foreshadowing, symbolism usually plays a role in most works of fiction? How extensive is the use of symbolism in The Surgeon's Mate? Is there enough symbolism to add depth to the writing? Interest to the writing? Explain your statements with examples.
Essay Topic 2
Maturin acts as a covert agency for the Crown and at the beginning of the novel has just escaped serious problems in the United States because of this. Later, when the Ariel wrecks and the crew is captured by the French, Maturin plans his suicide because of information he has due to his position.
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 British during this novel? Is the operation at Grimshold a covert operation? What is the outcome of that operation?
3. Do you see any conflict of interests between being a doctor and also a covert operator? Why or why not.
Essay Topic 3
THE SURGEON'S MATE is one book in a series of novels involving Captain Aubrey and Dr. Maturin. Discuss the following.
1. What is a couple advantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.
2. What are a couple disadvantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.
3. Do you prefer to read a standalone book, or a series of books with the same main characters? Explain your response.
4. Do you think it is easier or more difficult (or about the same) to write a standalone book versus one in a series? Explain your answer.
|
This section contains 1,332 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) |
|
