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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 helps Aubrey get a good night's sleep?

2. Where has one of the patients that Maturin is examining been?

3. What does Maturin start having about Clarissa?

4. How does Aubrey find the Surprise?

5. Who is Clarissa Oakes?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Aubrey discover when he and Pullings are below and what is Aubrey's response?

2. Describe Emily and Sarah Sweeting.

3. What does Aubrey hope for on his return to England?

4. Why are Aubrey and Pullings going below?

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

6. What does Aubrey host on the way to Moahu and what is his and Maturin's estimation of Clarissa?

7. Describe Captain Aubrey.

8. What happens after the victory by Aubrey's men and Puloani?

9. How does Clarissa end up at a penal colony in Australia?

10. What does Aubrey say about the dinner later that night to Maturin?

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

Surprise sails for Moahu and Aubrey orders punishment, including a rare bout of flogging for those most insubordinate. In those days, and even now, the captain of a ship is almost "godlike." Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think a captain's authority on board a ship is so absolute?

2. Do you think Aubrey abuses his authority as a captain? Why or why not?

3. Do you think many captains possibly abuse their authority during this era? Why or why not?

4. What recourse do you think sailors had against an abusive captain? Do you think they have more recourse today? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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