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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. Who insults Maturin one evening?

2. What are Aubrey and Maturin doing as they sail?

3. What does Maturin start having about Clarissa?

4. Who harpoons the creature?

5. Who is pursuing the Surprise?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where do Surprise and Trulove sail and what passes between Maturin and Clarissa as they are sailing?

2. How is Clarissa dressed for the ceremony and who performs the ceremony to marry Oakes and Clarissa?

3. What do Maturin and Clarissa go ashore to do, but what do they end up doing?

4. How does Aubrey finally figure out what is wrong with some of his officers and crew and what does he do to handle the situation?

5. How does the inspection fare?

6. Describe the conversation during the wedding dinner.

7. Why are Aubrey and Pullings going below?

8. What does Bonden report and what is Aubrey's decision?

9. What do the officers do on the same evening as the crew's celebration, and what do Aubrey and Maturin notice?

10. What is the story behind Aubrey captaining the Surprise?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In addition to understanding the war in which O'Brian's novels are set, it is quite helpful to have a basic understanding of nautical terminology and the types of ships and their armaments that were used during the early 1800s. Discuss the following:

1. Define ten of the most commonly-used shipboard terms and discuss how those terms are used in THE TRUELOVE.

2. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the ships used in the early 1800s?

3. How is the British navy organized during this period (early 1800s) and how different do you think it is organized today (including how one rises in rank).

Essay Topic 2

Truelove is one book in a series of novels involving Captain Aubrey and Dr. Maturin. Discuss the following.

1. What are a couple advantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.

2. What are a couple disadvantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.

3. Do you prefer to read a standalone book, or a series of books with the same main characters? Explain your response.

4. Do you think it is easier, more difficult, or about the same to write a standalone book versus one in a series? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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