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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. How long does it take to get the Minnie ready to sail?

2. What do Ariel and her transports manage to weather?

3. How does Blaine brief Maturin about the meeting with the commander of Grimsholm?

4. What do Maturin and Jagiello do one foggy morning?

5. Why is celestial navigation out of the question?

Short Essay Questions

1. At what does Maturin hint when Aubrey expresses his desire to be at sea?

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

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

4. What does Ariel do after leaving Grisholm?

5. What is the emergency to which Aubrey awakens?

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

7. Who is Pellworm; what does he predict and what is the first thing that happens that seem to prove his prediction to be true?

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

9. Describe the Grimsholm fortress.

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

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

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.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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