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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 does Aubrey do about Franklin?

2. Why does Aubrey promote two men from the forecastle in Chapter 1?

3. Why does Franklin want to lighten her load?

4. How have the crew members of the Franklin acquired skin lesions?

5. What does Maturin think happened between the woman and Martin?

Short Essay Questions

1. How have the crew fared during the event at the beginning of Chapter 2?

2. What do Maturin and Martin do on the Franklin?

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

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

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

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

7. What does Aubrey demand of Dutourd about Franklin and how does the crew of the Surprise feel about it?

8. How does Aubrey handle the taking of the Franklin and what is the most pressing need for the ship?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Wine-dark Sea 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 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

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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