Martin has abused himself both physically and mentally because of feeling guilty about whatever kind of relationship he had with Clarissa. Maturin confides to Diana that he suspects Martin had some type of sexual relationship with Clarissa and is now suffering a moral conundrum about being a married Christian reverend on the one hand and a lustful adulterer on the other.

1. Discuss some ways in which Martin might have been able to deal with his guilt besides causing himself permanent physical problems. Use examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

2. Religious beliefs are strong influences on many people. Beliefs can have both negative and positive effects on a person's life. Discuss the ways in which Martin's religion has both positive and negative effects on his life.

3. Maturin watches the behavior and emotional trauma that Martin has been experiencing. As a friend, what do you think are some of the ways in which Maturin was loving in his behavior with Martin and some of the ways in which Maturin was not loving with his friend.

Essay Topic 2

O'Brian is masterful in his description of battles and life in general in for a soldier during the the early 1800s. Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze O'Brian's descriptive passages about life as a sailor. How does he use descriptions of the five senses to make the reader feel s/he is there? Do you find his descriptions compelling? Seemingly accurate? How would the novel be different if O'Brian did not include such descriptive passages?

2. Analyze O'Brian's descriptive passages about the social structure of the times and discuss what you think it would be like to be a person of wealth and/or privilege such as Aubrey or Maturin or Dutourd. Contrast that to the lives of those who are in a lower social strata such as Vidal or Eduardo.

3. Describe and analyze O'Brian's descriptive passages about the topographical setting and the physical descriptions of the people. Does O'Brian do an adequate job of actually making the reader "see" the land/sea where the action is taking place? How about getting a visual image of the characters? How does the descriptions of the setting add to the novel? Do you like having an idea of how a character looks? How would the novel be different without such descriptions?

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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