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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 does the crew of the Diane feel about Maturin staying ashore in a bawdy-house?

2. Why is the Inaccessible Island given that name?

3. For what type of research is Van Buren known?

4. How do the midshipmen feel about their class on spherical trigonometry?

5. What does Maturin think of the French presentation to the Sultan?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Van Buren and why does Maturin seek him out in Pulo Prabang?

2. What surprises the English about the Sultan and their offer and what does Maturin think about the Sultan's behavior?

3. What kind of scandal do Aubrey and Maturin learn about that is occurring in England and how does Aubrey feel about it?

4. What does Maturin bring to van Buren's house and what do the two men do?

5. How does the crew work on the Diane and what does Aubrey do with them?

6. What kind of news about the French delegation does Raffles tell Aubrey?

7. What is Fox's response to his situation and how does that affect Maturin?

8. What does Fox do to impress the Sultan? How does Aubrey prepare?

9. What kind and number of midshipmen does the Diane have and how does Aubrey handle them?

10. What island does Diane approach when the wind dies and she gets caught in a current?

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.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of Thirteen Gun Salute.

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of Thirteen Gun Salute.

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. Research and define the literary term "narrative contrivance."

2. 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 or to set up a subplot in Thirteen Gun Salute.

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

4. 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

Though Thirteen Gun Salute is probably more action driven rather than character driven, obviously there are several characters who make the novel what it is. Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Aubrey and Maturin. How are they similar? How are they different? Would you consider one of them a stronger character than the other? How does each of them add to the story?

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Maturin and Sir Joseph. How are they similar? How are they different? Would you consider one of them a stronger character than the other? How does each of them add to the story?

3. Thoroughly analyze the character of Jack Aubrey, discussing both his strong and weak points and how both affect the outcome of the plot.

(see the answer keys)

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