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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. Why is celestial navigation out of the question?

2. With whom do the transports rendezvous?

3. What does Maturin suggest?

4. Who does Aubrey warn in a small boat?

5. What does Aubrey have to do when the people in the small boat do not heed his warning?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the guest Swedish officer, Jagiello, who is onboard the Ariel.

2. Describe the chase scene when the Ariel goes after the Minnie.

3. Briefly describe the Ariel, the ship of which Aubrey assumes command.

4. What does Aubrey give a technical discussion of and how does he replace the broken chronometer?

5. Why is Hyde cutting Jagiello's meat and what happens at dinner one evening when Hyde does so?

6. Describe the actions that lead to the wreck of the Ariel.

7. How does the Ariel slow the Médusae down enough for the HMS Jason to catch the Médusae?

8. Who does the Ariel encounter and what does Aubrey decide to do?

9. Describe the Grimsholm fortress.

10. What does Ariel do after leaving Grisholm?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in THE SURGEON'S MATE.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of THE SURGEON'S MATE. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of THE SURGEON'S MATE. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

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

Though the author O'Brian may or may not have such personal views on women, the way women are characterized in his naval series is often less than complimentary. Discuss one of the following:

1. Present and analyze the treatment of women in The Surgeon's Mate. How is it that women such as Amanda Smith and Diana Villiers receive contempt for sexual relations outside of marriage while the men (such as Aubrey) do not?

2. O'Brian is trying to be historically accurate, so is his treatment of women in his book(s) justified?

3. Is there any way O'Brian could have presented women in a more positive light and still stayed historically accurate? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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