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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 type of religion does Vidal practice?

2. What does Maturin conclude about Martin?

3. What type of conversations did Martin have with the woman on board the ship?

4. What does Surprise find out is the source of what was thought to be mortar fire?

5. What does Martin do that is noticeable to Maturin?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Dutourd behave aboard the Surprise?

2. What are two promotions Aubrey makes from the forecastle to replace recent losses?

3. How does Reade accidentally slow down the Surprise?

4. What does Maturin write to Diana about Martin and how does Martin and Maturin's friendship fare?

5. What means does Maturin use to think about Martin?

6. Why has Dutourd commissioned the Franklin and what does he plan to do?

7. How does Dutourd conduct himself on board Surprise and how does Aubrey feel about him?

8. What does Maturin think Clarissa has to do with Martin's present state of mind?

9. What is Franklin's advantage in a chase with Surprise and why does it seem Franklin cannot shake the Surprise?

10. What is happening to the ocean and the winds by the end of Chapter 1 and what does Aubrey think of it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 The Wine-dark Sea, 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 The Wine-dark Sea? Why or why not.

4. Identfiy two major conflicts in The Wine-dark Sea. Are the conflicts completely resolved by the end of The Wine-dark Sea? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Much attention is given to the treatment of both wounds and illnesses by Maturin. Maturin seems far more advanced than the typical doctor of that era. Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast the medical remedies Maturin uses in The Wine-dark Sea to that which would be done in our modern world.

2. Many wars are partially, if not completely, determined by factors other than the actual fighting. One of those factors is disease. Research and discuss how epidemics/pandemics have influenced the outcome of three different wars throughout history.

3. Discuss some of the medical remedies Maturin performs/uses that were probably not used in that era. Did Aubrey's surviving of the head wound and stabbing to his thigh seem plausible? What about Martin treating himself when he thought he had syphilis?

Essay Topic 3

During this era when the book takes place, if a vessel under the command of a naval officer captures another vessel from a country with whom they are warring or captures a pirate vessel, etc...the crew of the victorious vessel shares in the goods, money and value of the vessel. This was the purpose for the Surprise having a letter of marque. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think the British had such a policy in place then?

2. What are the possible abuses that can arise from such a policy?

3. Why do you think this policy is eventually abandoned?

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