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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. Who gave Villiers the diamond necklace?

2. Who does Maturin learn has drowned?

3. What does Maturin realize about Villiers?

4. What does Maturin do doing the voyage?

5. What impresses Smith about Aubrey?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What happens in the encounter between Aubrey and several businessmen who call upon him?

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

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

5. What is Villiers' reception like at the ball?

6. What depresses Aubrey amidst all the celebrations?

7. What do Maturin and Villiers think about Aubrey's behavior with Smith?

8. Describe Stephen Maturin.

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

10. Describe Amanda Smith.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

During this era when the book takes place, if a vessel under the command of a naval officer captures another vessel from a country with whom they are warring or captures a pirate vessel, etc...the crew of the victorious vessel shares in the goods, money and value of the vessel. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think the British had such a policy in place then?

2. What are the possible abuses that can arise from such a policy?

3. Why do you think this policy is eventually abandoned?

4. Which vessel(s) are mentioned in THE SURGEON'S MATE that fall under this maritime law and what are the circumstances of their capture? Does it seem fair?

Essay Topic 3

Often in O'Brian's series involving Jack Aubrey, his ship and/or life is saved by extraordinary means. Discuss the following:

1. Identify and analyze a time in the book when O'Brian makes free use of the technique of narrative contrivance to save Aubrey and his ship in The Surgeon's Mate.

2. Does the use of narrative contrivance diminish the impact of the plot? The believability of the storyline?

3. Is there any other way O'Brian could have a mixture of suspense and action while at the same time making certain the main characters are not killed?

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This section contains 1,080 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample