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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 injury does West receive?

2. What does Pullings do when Maturin visits him on the Franklin?

3. What kind of philosophy does the owner of the Franklin espouse?

4. What is happening between Martin and Maturin?

5. What main part of Franklin do the carpenters have to replace?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Reade accidentally slow down the Surprise?

2. What does Dutourd say about surrender and what does Aubrey discover in Franklin's papers?

3. How does Dutourd behave aboard the Surprise?

4. Why is West on the Surprise and what does he hope to obtain from Aubrey?

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

6. What type of mix is Surprise's crew and for what are some of the older members known?

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

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

9. What do Maturin and Aubrey do as they sail to Peru?

10. How do the various religious groups on Surprise get along both on the ship and ashore?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are a number of instances of foreshadowing in The Wine-dark Sea. Many of these instances, readers will recognize as probable foreshadowing; others, the readers may not be aware until the event which is foreshadowed occurs. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term foreshadow. Why do you think authors foreshadow a future event? What might be a reader's reaction to a sudden tragic or wonderful event if there were no hints whatsoever that it might occur?

2. Find four events that are foreshadowed in and pair up the foreshadowing text with the event. Analyze each event to include the following: What is foreshadowed? Is the method O'Brian uses to foreshadow effective? Did you guess when a particular text was foreshadowing a future event? Did you guess what the event is?

3. Along with foreshadowing, symbolism usually plays a role in most works of fiction? How extensive is the use of symbolism in The Wine-dark Sea? Is there enough symbolism to add depth to the writing? Interest to the writing? Explain your statements with examples.

Essay Topic 2

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 Wine-dark Sea.

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 3

Maturin acts as a covert agent for the Crown and attempts a covert operation in Peru.

1. What sort of covert operations does Maturin undertake? How similar do you think his covert operations are to that of an organization such as the CIA of today?

2. How is Maturin's role as a covert agent play a part in Peru's history?

3. Do you see any conflict of interests between being a doctor and also a covert operator? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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