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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 ill omen occurs during the planning of the mission?

2. Who meets with D'Ullastret?

3. What does Aubrey feel a few hours later?

4. Who leads the forces at Grimsholm?

5. How does Maturin prepare for his mission to Grimsholm?

Short Essay Questions

1. What transpires in the meeting between Sir Joseph Blaine and Maturin?

2. What is the result of the meeting between Maturin and his Godfather?

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

4. What are a couple ill omens that Aubrey experiences that gives him the jitters?

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

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

7. How does Lieutenant Grant slander Aubrey's name even further?

8. Why is Aubrey concerned when there is stormy weather?

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

10. What does Maturin suggest the Ariel do to convince the lookouts at Grimsholm that the Minnie is a friendly vessel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Aubrey, though very bright in many ways, is somewhat superstitious, a trait common to many sailors. Discuss the following:

1. What is superstition? Can you name a few common superstitions? Do any of them seem to have any validity in logic?

2. Why do you think sailors have the reputation for being superstitious? Do you think it is true? What occurs in The Surgeon's Mate that is explained by or attributed to superstition? Are there other explanations for the occurrences?

3. What are some of the superstitions you are familiar with that sailors seem to believe? Do you believe any of them? Why or why not?

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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