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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 Aubrey feel about the crew of the Diane?

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

3. How did Maturin find Fox?

4. Why was it critical when the wind died near Inaccessible Island?

5. What type of port, politically, is Pulo Prabang?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does van Buren assist Maturin?

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

4. What class do the midshipmen find boring and what do they do about it?

5. Why can't Maturin collect specimens while on leave?

6. What has caused the political riots occurring in Pulo Prabang when Maturin returns on leave?

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

8. What kind of arrangements does Maturin make in Batavia and why?

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

10. Why does Aubrey dislike Fox and how does the crew feel about Fox? What does that force on Fox?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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, yet he is also plagued with doubts and is not above an occasional act of adultery.

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 his career 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?

Essay Topic 2

Captain Jack Aubrey is in some ways a larger-than-life hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, in Thirteen Gun Salute and in the others in the series. Discuss the following:

1. Does having a larger-than-life hero make that person less of a hero? In other words, which is more admirable--a hero who ultimately always "lands on his feet," or one who strives against impossible odds and doesn't succeed? Which is more interesting?

2. Does a character have to be successful in order to be a hero? Explain your answer.

3. Choose one other character besides Aubrey who you might call a hero/heroine and explain why you choose that person.

4. Does every work of fiction have to have a hero? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Aubrey is an officer and a gentleman and is therefore accorded more respect and trust even in enemy territory than the common sailor. Discuss the following:

1. Does it seem likely that officers are usually more trustworthy than enlisted men back then? What about today? Why or why not?

2. In the present military in the United States, both officers and enlisted can be held for court martial for consorting with a foreign national while in another country such as in the "bawdy-house" in Pulo Prabang. Why do you think this is so? Do you agree with the policy?

3. In the time in which Thirteen Gun Salute is set, an officer's word was assumed to always be good; whereas a non-officer was not considered trustworthy. What is the flaw in this standard? Do you think it affects the moral and/or morals of non-officers? How? What about the morale of each group?

(see the answer keys)

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