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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 Martin tell Maturin about birds?

2. In what did Martin show an interest after the woman left the ship?

3. How does Aubrey refer to Dutourd's ideas?

4. To where does Maturin want to travel?

5. What type of religion does Vidal practice?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Vidal talk to Maturin about?

4. What does Surprise do about Franklin after they have made the most urgent repairs?

5. What is happening in Martin and Maturin's relationship and what has Martin told Maturin?

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

7. How did Clarissa affect the crew of the Surprise?

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

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

10. What is Maturin's personal reason for going to Peru?

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

Often in O'Brian's series involving Jack Aubrey, his ship and/or life is saved by extraordinary means. Discuss the following:

1. Research and define the literary term "narrative contrivance."

2. Identify and analyze a time in the book when O'Brian makes free use of the technique of narrative contrivance to save Aubrey and his ship or to set up a subplot in The Wine-dark Sea.

3. Does the use of narrative contrivance diminish the impact of the plot? The believability of the storyline?

4. Is there any other way O'Brian could have a mixture of suspense and action while at the same time making certain the main characters are not killed?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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