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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 does the Ariel do?

2. How is the crew of the Ariel?

3. What does Aubrey offer during the planning of the mission?

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

5. Why is Pellworm uncomfortable?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. What does Ariel do after leaving Grisholm?

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

9. Why is Aubrey searching for a suitable ship to capture?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

THE SURGEON'S MATE, like many, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why? not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of THE SURGEON'S MATE and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why THE SURGEON'S MATE is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. State what you think are three characteristics of a successful novel and whether or not THE SURGEON'S MATE in your opinion is a successful novel.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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