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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 demand of Dutourd?

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

3. What does Surprise's crew do about the two ships?

4. What type of injury does West receive?

5. How did the woman aboard the ship deal with the sexual advances of the men?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Vidal talk to Maturin about?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. How does Dutourd behave aboard the Surprise?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Wine-dark Sea, like many, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note in that the Surprise was saved by an English battleship.

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of The Wine-dark Sea and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why The Wine-dark Sea is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. State what you think are three characteristics of a successful novel and whether or not The Wine-dark Sea in your opinion is a successful novel.

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

Sailors are notoriously superstitious. Even Aubrey, though very bright in many ways, is somewhat superstitious, a trait common to many sailors. Discuss the following:

1. What is superstition? Can you name a few common superstitions? Do any of them seem to have any validity in logic?

2. Why do you think sailors have the reputation for being superstitious? Do you think it is true? What superstitions are mentioned in The Wine-dark Sea?

3. What are some of the superstitions you are familiar with that sailors seem to believe? Do you believe any of them? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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