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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 kind of arrangements does Maturin make regarding Pulo Prabang?

2. At what function does the British delegation act in grossly flattering ways?

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

4. Why does Aubrey hold classes in seamanship and navigation for the midshipmen aboard?

5. Who does Maturin watch closely at the diner following the French presentation?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does van Buren assist Maturin?

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

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

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

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

7. How is Abjul executed?

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

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

10. Where does Maturin go on a leave and how did he get there?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of literary elements that occur in many works of fiction. Irony is a means of increasing both the humor and the complexity of a story. O'Brien often includes irony in his Aubrey/Maturin series. Point of view is the way the story is narrated; all works of fiction have a point of view. Conflict is almost always present in a work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary terms irony, point of view and conflict.

2. Identify two instances of irony in Thirteen Gun Salute, offering examples from the text.

3. Identify the point of view of the novel and discuss why you think O'Brien chooses to use that particular point of view. Does the point of view seem to be the best one for Thirteen Gun Salute? Why or why not?

4. Identify two major conflicts in Thirteen Gun Salute. Are the conflicts completely resolved by the end of Thirteen Gun Salute? Why or why not?

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