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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 work does Sam Panda do?

2. How does General Hurtado feel about independence?

3. What has Maturin been called by the person in question #140?

4. What is not going to take place?

5. What is Gayongos entrusted with by the British Naval Intelligence?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Pullings see and hear as he puts out to sea in Surprise?

2. Where has Maturin been sent after the collapse of the rebellion?

3. What happens to Martin as Surprise is pursuing the French ship and what does Maturin do with his assistant?

4. Who is Edward Shelton and why is he aboard the American whaler?

5. What does Aubrey attempt to do to correct what he found out about Dutourd?

6. How does Maturin react physically and intellectually to the mountains?

7. What does Aubrey hope to find as they sail to Peru and how does he find it?

8. What is done at the meeting for the rebellion?

9. What happens when Surprise reaches port at Callao? What does Maturin do?

10. How does Aubrey fool the whaler?

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

The Wine-dark Sea takes place during the War of 1812 where Britain is fighting America; therefore understanding the political and social situation during that time helps to a greater understanding and appreciation of The Wine-dark Sea and others in the series. Discuss one of the following:

1. Research and write an expository essay about how the War of 1812 begin and end.

2. Research and write an expository essay about the naval aspect of the War of 1812 between Britain and America.

3. Compare/Contrast the importance of the British navy during the War of 1812 to the importance of the British navy during either WWI or WWII.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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